• Relative tuning: In this method, the tuning depends on the adaptability of the ear. This is the hardest procedure to tune a guitar.
• Reference tuning: In this kind of tuning, the strings of a guitar are tuned according to the tuning of another instrument. You play the pitch of the instrument which is followed by the guitar.
• Electronic tuning: It is an easy and the most accurate way of tuning an electronic guitar. While using an electronic tuner, you have to strum one string at a time. The tuner listens to its pitch and shows an easy-to-understand display screen.
The standard tuning of a guitar is as follows:
String note
Sixth cord (bottom, bass, low) E
Fifth cord A
Fourth cord D
Third cord G
Second cord B
First cord (treble, top, high) E
The 6 th string is the thickest and the 1 st string is the thinnest. All guitarists, whether experienced or new, must adhere to this standard tuning format of the guitar. Expertise is of no use if the guitar is not tuned properly.
Here are some tips to tune your guitar:
• The strings should be attached to the heads properly. Each string should be stretched and tuned up to the note.
• First check which strings are actually not in tune.
• If you are using a vibrato arm to tune your guitar, then after tuning the string, fine tune the strings by giving the arms some good shakes.
• Tune the guitar every time you play it. It often goes out of tune whenever you play it.
• It is advisable that you tune your guitar with one note off a fixed source, this will make your ear used to the pitch of each note.
The correct method of how to tune a guitar is as follows:
• Holding your finger on the 5 th fret, the treble high E cord should be tuned to A440 tuning fork, listen to the interval of a 4 th and the B cord should be tuned to open treble E cord.
• The A note should be played fretted at second fret of G cord, and it should be compared to the open E treble cord .
• The second fret E string should be fretted on the D cord and should be compared to treble E open cord . E note on fourteenth fret of D cord should be fretted and double checked.
• T he seventh fret should be harmonically tuned on the A cord to treble E cord .
• The fifth fret should be harmonically tuned on bass E cord to treble E cord .
Tuning a guitar is a challenge for most novice guitarists. Some even quit playing because every time they start playing the guitar, the sound that comes out is just not perfect. Guitarists should know that tuning a guitar is as important as playing it. Practice will make them accustomed to the standard tuning of the guitar. It depends on how fast their ear can learn the right tune. Once the ear of the guitarist gets accustomed to the tune of the guitar, he or she will be able to tune it by checking the chords. Most experienced guitarists tune their guitar within one minute.
How to tune a guitar is an art that every guitar player should be familiar with. Any person who is learning to play a guitar must also know the concept of tuning it. Tuning a guitar means adjusting the tuning pegs in a manner that each string gives the right note. A badly tuned guitar will always sound bad, even if a perfect guitarist is playing it. There are three types of tuning: