Tuning the Guitar
Tuning the guitar is easy once you understand how the fretboard works. But, even if you don't have a clue about the fretboard, it's still a very simple process. Today there are many electronic and digital devices available to help you with tuning your guitar. The method I'm going to show you today, however, will teach you how to LISTEN to the tones of your guitar so that you can tune it by ear. This is an important area to develop if you wish to become a better musician. Click the arrows on the bottom right corner to enlarge the video. REVIEW: Remember that the strings are identified like this:
LETTER -> E A D G B E
STRING -> 6 5 4 3 2 1These letters represent the natural open tones (sound) of each string and they move forward alphabetically as you ascend (move up) the neck. Let's look at the fifth and sixth string as an example:
open|-1-|-2-|-3-|-4-|-5-|5 = A|---|-B-|-C-|---|-D-|
6 = E|-F-|---|-G-|---|-A-| Notice that when you arrive on the fifth fret you are on the letter A. This is the same tone as the open A on the fifth string! When you compare the sound of both tones on each string, they should sound the same. With this in mind, let's get started tuning the guitar!
TUNING TABLATURE
STEPS FOR TUNING THE GUITAR BY EAR:You will be comparing tones with this process. It should sound like you're hearing the same tone even though you're hitting two different strings. If the tones don't blend you will have to adjust the string by either raising or lowering the pitch with the tuning key at the head of the guitar. It's always safer to begin by LOWERING the pitch first so that you don't accidentally break a string! Then you can gradually raise it if necessary. 1. Press down and strike the A on the sixth string at the fifth fret.2. Next, strike the open A on the fifth string. 3. Slowly adjust the fifth string until it matches the sound of the fretted A on the sixth string. 4. Now move to the fifth sting and again press down at the fifth fret. This is D and should sound the same as the open D on the fourth string. Compare and adjust as needed. 5. Move to the fourth string, press down G at the fifth fret. Follow the same procedure and compare with the open G on the third string. 6. When you arrive at the third string you must move to the FOURTH FRET. This is B (third string, fourth fret). Press down and compare with the open B on the second string. 7. Move back to the FIFTH FRET on the second string. You are now playing an E. Compare this tone with the open E on the first string. That's all there is to it!
LESSON OBJECTIVE: To become familiar with tuning the guitar using the method given in this lesson. PRACTICE: 1. Use this method to help develop your ability to hear the correct pitch of each tone. If you have an electronic or digital tuner, you can use that to check how accurate you are when you've finished. 2. Continue using this method and you should notice an overall improvement in your ability to hear correct pitch after a relatively short time! 3. Download and print this PDF file: Guitar Practice Schedule 4. Use the Guitar Practice Schedule to set some goals and keep a record of your progress. LEARN MORE: If you have difficulty hearing the correct pitch when tuning the guitar by ear, then you should consider getting a tuner as this will make life much easier for you! I use the Korg TM-40 because it has both a tuner and a metronome in one unit. It comes in handy when I’m teaching and I also like to use the metronome during my own practice sessions. It makes tuning-up with other musicians a breeze because you can plug in your guitar and not be distracted by surrounding noises.
Previous Lessons...How The Strings Are Identified
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