I’m going to walk you through why and how to get your guitar perfectly in tune. Tuning your guitar is key; frankly, there’s nothing worse to the ears than an out of tune guitar.
So, you want to start off on the right foot. For beginners, the standard tuning at 440hz is your home base, the center of the tuning universe for most music you’ll be playing.
When it comes to tuning, you’ve got a few choices. You can use electronic devices that make the process straightforward.
Here‘s my well-worn Boss tuning pedal next to my Dunlop cry baby(Hendrix fanatic)! This tuning device is the very first pedal in the chain on my pedalboard. Remember, always be in tune!
There are tuners you can clip right onto your headstock, sleek tuning pedals for the stage performer(see above pic), even classic tuning forks if you’re feeling a bit RETRO. Meanwhile, tuning apps are a pinch-free alternative that let you take advantage of the technology right in your pocket. See pic ⤵️
Now let’s get into the nitty-gritty of how to tune your guitar string by string. You’ll typically start with the low E string and work your way through to the high E string. Each turn of the tuning peg should be made with care, methodically bringing each string to its perfect pitch. It’s a process, but hey, it’s a process worth mastering.
Consistently tuning your guitar will do wonders for your playing. Not only will your music sound better, but it’ll also train your ears. You’ll start to naturally know when a string is out of whack, which is an essential skill for any musician.
Sometimes, things go a bit sideways, and your guitar just won’t stay in tune. Don’t worry too much about it. It happens to the best of us. There can be several reasons – from new strings stretching out, to a change in the weather affecting the wood of your guitar.
When applying new strings:
- Tune to pitch
- Pull strings out away from you
- Pull up and down on the strings
- Re-tune each time
- Repeat this process
- Once in tune, bend those strings! Try not to go into STRINGSHOCK!! Lol
Doing this will effectively stretch your strings out and, after a few times, they will stay in tune.
Make it a habit to check your tuning each time before playing because you want to continuously train your ears for certain pitches. You’ll be a pro in no time, I promise.
There will come a time when you start jamming with your friends. Playing guitar with other guitarists or any other instruments, will help you grow as a musician. First, make sure at least one of the other instruments is tuned properly and then you can tune your guitar to theirs by ear.
In this tuning method, I’ve always found it easier to start with the lower strings like the low E, A, or D. Again, this is where training your ears for specific pitches will help you. When tuning to another instrument, this is called relative pitch, where you adjust the pitch of your strings up or down to match their pitch. Same with matching up with the notes from your favorite songs.
Exploring the Sounds: Beyond Standard Tuning
Once you’ve got the basics of tuning your guitar to the standard 440hz down, you’re going to find out about a whole new world of possibilities that alternate tunings offer.
One thing you’ll notice when trying to learn your favorite tunes is that the tunings will be much different than standard tuning.
You will soon discover that the musicians you idolize will sometimes adjust their tuning to fit a vocalists range, comfort level with their fingers, to get an ‘edgier’ sound, or just because it sounds waaaay cooler! If it fits the vibe you’re aiming for, the sky’s the limit!
And let me tell you, it’s a game-changer. Alternate tunings not only provide a breadth of new tonal landscapes but also inspire creativity and can make playing certain songs or styles much easier.
If you’re feeling adventurous, I’m here to guide you on how to safely detune your guitar to half-step, full-step, and even further.
It’s thrilling to play around with tunings that can breathe new life into the guitar, but it’s crucial to do it carefully to avoid any damage to your instrument.
You also have the delightful options of open tunings, which are often used in blues and folk music, and Nashville tuning, which uses higher octaves for a jangly, bright sound.
A critical part of advancing in your guitar playing is training your ear. As you get more comfortable with your instrument, you’ll start to instantly know if something doesn’t sound right.
Whether you’re strumming a chord or plucking a single string, being in tune is paramount. Plus, pitch accuracy is going to be your best friend in sessions or when playing alongside other musicians.
Now, as for the odd and custom tunings – that’s where you can really let your imagination run wild. These tunings can completely transform the mood or vibe of a piece of music. But remember, there’s no rush. Experimenting with these should come after you’re confident with the fundamentals.
For this post, we‘re staying with the standard tuning. After mastering this, we will dive deeper into all of these alternative tunings that you can experiment with. So stick with me.
I really hope that you embrace the joy of tuning as a pivotal part of your guitar journey. Choose tunings that resonate with you, mix it up, and keep your ears sharp. Who knows what incredible music you’ll create once you start exploring all the tunings your guitar can offer!
