Tune a Guitar

Tune a Guitar

Does your guitar sound recklessly out of tune? No problem, we'll have that sorted out in no time.

Most new guitarists think they're strumming along worse than they actually are. This is because their guitar is so far out of tune, that Led Zeppelin could not make it sound good. It is no good learning how to play the guitar on a guitar that is out of tune, otherwise the wretched sound will habituate you, and you won't know any better. You will eventually pick up a guitar that is in tune, and you will think that you're playing it wrong.

Before you begin, make sure that you've got some quality strings strung onto your guitar. Check for any wear. If you're just starting out, you really don't want to be learning on something that is going to go out of tune after a few good strums. If you do happen to get some new strings, beware that for the first week or so, you will need to constantly tune your guitar. This is to get the strings to stretch into place.


How to Tune a Guitar

  1. Using a reference pitch (this could be a piano, another guitar, or any studio recorded song that you have containing the low E note), tune the sixth string (low E) - closest to your face, provided that you are not looking at the strings, waiting for them to break, allowing you to finish the remainder of this tutorial with only one eye.
  2. Place your finger on the 5th fret, on the sixth string (low E). Compare this note with the fifth string (A).
  3. Place your finger on the 5th fret, on the fifth string (A). Compare this note with the fourth string (D).
  4. Place your finger on the 5th fret, on the fourth string (D). Compare this note with the third string (G).
  5. Place your finger on the 4th fret, on the third string (G). Compare this note with the second string (B).
  6. Place your finger on the 5th fret, on the second string (B). Compare this note with the first string (high E).

That's all there is to it. Ensure that you tune your guitar regularly, and check to make sure that it is still in tune after every song. You should get this whole process down to less than 30 seconds, with some practice.

If you've got a good ear on you, you'll eventually be able to tune a guitar without having to use a reference pitch, and possibly without even having to use this learning method at all. Experienced guitarists know when their guitar is out of tune, and know exactly which string needs to be tuned. Happy tuning!