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Lesson 6 : Tuning the Guitar
Before
going further to play the Guitar, you should learn to
tune it. At first, tuning would seem to be a difficult
task, but as time passes, you'll develop an 'ear' for
music, and tuning wouldn't seem a task at all.
Initially you could ask someone
who plays the guitar to tune it for you. With time,
you'll not need anybody's help.
Tuning the 6th string
Why do we start with the 6th string? It's because this
is the thickest string, and hence it is less likely
to go out of tune. Adjust the tuning peg so that it
gives out a deep solid note. Try to tune it as low as
possible.
Tuning the 5th string
Place your finger on the 6th string at the 5th fret
and strike it. Now, strike the 5th string open (without
pressing any fret). Check if both the notes sound the
same. If they don't, then the 5th string is either higher
or lower in pitch to the 6th string at the 5th fret.
Adjust the tuning pegs of the 5th string. By tightening
or loosening it, you can increase or decrease the pitch.
Do so till both the notes sound the same.
Tuning the 4th String
Place your finger on the 5th string at the 5th fret
and strike it. Strike the 5th string. Strike the 4th
string open. Adjust the tuning pegs of the 4th string
till both the notes sound the same.
Tuning the 3rd String
Place your finger on the 4th string at the 5th fret
and strike it. Strike the 3rd string open. Adjust the
tuning pegs of the 3rd string till both the notes sound
the same.
Tuning the 2nd String
Place your finger on the 3rd string at the 4th fret
and strike it. Strike the 2nd string open. Adjust the
tuning pegs of the 2nd string till both the notes sound
the same.
Tuning the 1st String
Place your finger on the 2nd string at the 5th fret
and strike it. Strike the 1st string open. Adjust the
tuning pegs of the 1st string till both the notes sound
the same.
Repeat the tuning process by checking each string again.
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Tuning
- Summarized
Match the E/6th string 5th fret to the 5th string
open. |
| Match the
A/5th string 5th fret to the 4th string open. |
| Match the
D/4th string 5th fret to the 3rd string open. |
| Match the
G/3rd string 4th fret to the 2nd string open. |
| Match the
B/2nd string 5th fret to the 1st string open. |
Note: Every time you pick up your
guitar for playing, invest a few minutes in tuning it.
This will improve your listening skills and you'll gradually
get faster at it.
Tuning with Pitch Pipes
Pitch pipes are an economical solution to your tuning
hassles. These are available for a few dollars at any
Music store. These pipes are pre-tuned to Guitar string
pitches. By blowing through the pipe marked 6th string
or E string, you can produce the pitch corresponding
to the 6th string and use this to tune your guitar's
corresponding string.
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