Acoustic Guitar Tuning Keeps You Sounding Good
Whether you are playing a show or just practicing, you should tune your acoustic guitar every time you play. Playing an out of tune guitar is not fun. Beginners frequently do not understand the importance of acoustic guitar tuning. The few extra minutes it takes to tune your guitar is always worth it.
Pluck the string you want to tune. If you use an electronic tuner, the tuner's built-in microphone will pick up the sound. Look at the indicator. It could be a flashing light and/or a meter, and it will tell you how close you are to the right pitch and whether you are sharp or flat. Adjust your tuning accordingly by turning the string's tuning key.
Keep in mind that one always tunes up, which means going from looser to tighter till it's in tune. If it becomes too tight, don't just unwind it a little bit to try to improve it (called "tuning down"). It works far better to give the string some play and then start tightening it again till it's right. When you tune up, not only are your results more accurate, but you also help the string hold its tuning longer.
If you don't purchase an electronic tuner, you still need to have a reference for pitch when playing acoustic guitar. You can use another guitar, a piano, tuning fork or an MP3 that you are certain is already in tune. Acoustic guitar tuning with an electronic tuner will consistently provide reliable tuning. But if you choose to tune the traditional way then use an electronic tuner to test your results. This is a great way to learn to develop your ear. Begin acoustic guitar tuning with the sixth string (low E), which should be tuned to match the reference pitch. After you've done that, the other strings must be tuned to that note. Simply work on them one by one. There's a scientific explanation for this procedure, but you don't have to know it any more than you have to learn to build an engine in order to drive an car. Here's how to do your acoustic guitar tuning: 1. Strum (in tune) the sixth string on the fifth fret. Tune the open fifth string to that exact note. 2. Strum the fifth string on the fifth fret. Tune the open fourth string to the same note. 3. Tune the fourth string on the fifth fret. Tune the open third to the same note. 4. Follow closely; this is different than the above. Play the third string on the fourth fret and tune the open second string to this note. 5. Play the second string on the fifth fret and tune your open first string to this note. Before you try tuning your guitar for the first time, have an experienced player show you the ropes. The best place to learn is probably the music shop where you bought your acoustic guitar. After a few tries, you'll get the hang of it. You really need to put time and effort into mastering the skill of acoustic guitar tuning. It's a whole lot easier for someone just starting out to use an electronic tuner instead. At only around $20, they are well worth their price. What's more, if you choose one that was manufactured especially for use with guitars, it can actually let you know which string you're playing too.
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