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How To Tune A Guitar
By Lorraine Simpson
Every guitar player has to get to grips with learning to tune their instrument correctly and for most people it takes time to become proficient at this. It is however, an essential skill that needs to be mastered if you want your guitar playing to sound the way it should!

The easiest method is of course to buy a guitar tuner. Chromatic tuners or non-chromatic tuners are easily obtained and cost anything between £10 to £80. However, even if you do elect to use this method it is still important and useful to know how to tune your guitar manually.

Manual tuning

Firstly make sure you are in a quiet room so your hearing is as sharp and clear as possible. You need to have either an E tuning fork, a guitar pitch pipe or another instrument which you know is tuned correctly - a piano for example - to tune the first (thinnest) string. The rest of the strings will be tuned to the guitar so it is essential to take the time to make sure this string is tuned correctly. If you are using a pitch pipe find the highest note of the two E pipes by blowing gently and evenly. An E tuning fork is the best method to use as it gives the most accurate note. Hold the handle between your right thumb and first finger and strike the prongs against your knee. Then hold the end of the handle on the bridge of your guitar with the prongs in the air and you will hear the note you need. If you are using a piano use the E note just above middle C in the middle of the keyboard. Important: the E note on a pitch pipe, tuning fork or other instrument will not sound exactly the same as your first string because each will have a different tone but you need to match the sound as closely as possible when tuning.

Each string should be tuned by gently turning the tuning peg a little at a time. You will notice that turning it one way tightens and makes the string sound higher and the other way slackens the string and makes it sound lower. Make sure you are turning the correct peg for each string.

To tune the first string blow your pitch pipe evenly or play the note E on the tuning fork or other instrument you have chosen. While that note is sounding pluck the first string (if you are using a tuning fork do this with your left hand). If the first string sounds higher than the note E slacken it slightly by turning the peg, if it sounds lower then tighten it by turning the peg. Just a quarter turn at a time is best. If you are not sure if it's higher or lower then play the note again without adjusting the string. If you still can't tell then slightly slacken the string and if it sounds more out of tune you know you are going the wrong way and should be tightening it instead. Take as much time as you need slackening and tightening the string while listening to the note until it sounds neither higher or lower than the instrument, pipe or tuning fork. Your first string should now be in tune!

To tune the second string press it just behind the fifth fret with the tip of your left hand second finger and keep it there. Play the first string a couple of times and now play the second string. If it sounds higher than the first turn it's tuning peg a little to slacken

it. If it sounds lower then tighten it a little. Compare the strings again always playing the first string first. Continue tuning (remember your finger is still behind the fifth fret) until the second string sounds the same as the first string open.

To tune the third string press it behind the fourth fret with your second finger. Play the second string twice and then play the third string. Again remembering to keep your finger behind the fourth fret, tune the third string a little at a time until it sounds the same as the second string open.

To tune the fourth string press it behind the fifth fret and tune until it sounds the same as the third string open.

To tune the fifth string again press it behind the fifth fret and tune it until it sounds the same as the fourth string open.

To tune the sixth string again press it behind the fifth fret and tune it until it sounds the same as the fifth string open.

Now you can see why it is so important to take time over tuning the first string correctly! If you have followed all the above steps your guitar is now in tune.

tuning tips

Check the tuning of your guitar every time you play. If you are going to play along with another instrument tune your guitar to the other instrument.

When tuning one string to another always listen first to the string that is in tune and play it twice to ensure the sound is fixed in your mind. Then pause for a second or two before playing the string you are trying to tune. This will make it easier for you to hear the difference between the two notes.

Pluck strings firmly when tuning but not too hard or the sound will distort.

If the string you are tuning seems to be getting more out of tune you are going the wrong way! If you are in doubt always slacken rather than tighten strings to avoid straining them.

If two strings sound very close and you're not sure if they are in tune play them quickly one after another. If you hear a wavering beat or feel a wavering vibration in the guitar then the strings are not perfectly in tune with each other.

Make sure your first finger is always just behind the correct fret and press the string straight onto the fingerboard. If the string is bent you will not get the correct note.

Take care to avoid touching or knocking the pegs when removing your guitar from it's case or putting it away again as this could put it out of tune.

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Article written by Lorraine Simpson, Fifth Ace Ltd.For comprehensive information on learning to play the guitar go to www.learn2playguitar.abraceofaces.com**The author consents to the reproduction and use of this article as long as it remains completely unchanged, the author is credited and the link to the author's website remains intact.**