Tuesday, December 29th, 2015
Standard guitar-tuning, a major-third interval is interjected amid four perfect-fourth intervals. In each regular tuning, all string successions have the same interval.
Step 1: The 6th String – E (thickest)
Tune the bottom E String, as accurately as you can. You can also use other reference tones such as a Piano or any other musical instrument that is handy. What’s important is that you have a reference tone.
Tip: Fake It Till You Make It
Did you get lost alone in the forest with just your guitar and can’t find a reference tone anywhere? Assuming you don’t have any other musicians playing with you, you can always just tune that Fat E String as best you can and tune the rest of your guitar to it. As long as the guitar is in tune with itself you can still play.
Step 2: The 5th String – A
Place your index finger on the fifth fret of the bottom E string. That’s an A note. Keep your finger on that fret. Now pick the open fifth string and fretted six string in turn, gently adjusting the fifth string tuning peg until the two notes are in harmony. Tightening the peg will make the pitch higher, loosening the peg will make the pitch lower.
Step 3: The 4th String – D
Place your index finger on the the fifth fret of the A string. That’s a D note. Pluck the fretted 5th string and the open 4th string together or alternating between them and adjust the 4th string tuning peg until the pitch of the 4th string matches the pitch of the 5th fret of the 5th string.
Step 4: The 3rd String – G
Place your index finger on the fifth fret of the D string. That’s a G note. Pluck or alternate pick the fretted 4th and open 3rd strings, adjusting the 3rd string tuning peg until the 3rd string is in harmony with the 5th fret of the 4th string.
Step 5: The 2nd String – B
Place your index finger on the fourth fret of the G string. That’s a B. Tune your 2nd string to that note.
Tip: How to Remember Standard Tuning Pattern
The B string is the only string that gets its reference tone from the 4th fret of the string above it. All the rest of the open strings utilize the 5th fret of the string above as a reference tone. If you can remember this tuning pattern you will always be able to tune your guitar.
Step 6: Tuning the E String
Place your index finger just behind the fifth fret on the B string. That’s a E note. Tune the thinnest and last string to that, again by adjusting the 1st string tuning peg until the pitch of the E string matches the 5th fret of the 2nd String.
What you have just learned is called Standard Tuning Pattern. Like I previously stated you can use this anytime, anywhere to get your guitar tuned up.
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Tags: guitar tuning, tune guitar