Guitar Tuning

Snark Guitar Tuner

Guitar tuning, like playing the guitar itself, is relatively easy to learn but fairly difficult to master. Many beginning guitarists are initially put off by how difficult it is to get the guitar in perfect tune, but once you understand a few basic concepts, tuning the guitar isn't that hard, so long as you grasp that with a guitar perfect tuning isn't possible, given the temperament of the instrument, but we'll talk more about that later.

Two Methods to Tune a Guitar

Broadly speaking, there are two ways to tune a guitar, either by using the guitar itself as a reference point (once you've established at least one note by an outside instrument) or by using an electronic tuner. I think it's important for every guitar player to know how to tune a guitar by ear, using just a reference tone (like a piano or tuning fork) to get started.

Traditional Guitar Tuning

The traditional way of tuning involves matching the open notes of one string to the fretted notes of another. For example, let's say that you have tuned the fifth string (the A string, the fifth note UP from the bottom) to a piano, so you have at least one note in tune. You can then tune the low E string (the thickest one, the sixth string up from the bottom) to the A by pressing down the E string on the fifth fret. You continue the process up to the high E string (the first string up from the bottom). In this method, octaves also work or can be used to check the accuracy of the fretted notes.

Digital Tuners

While knowing some ear-based tuning method is important, it's a simple fact these days that true professionals (whether guitar repair shops or players themselves) nearly always use digital tuners.  Such tuners are simply far more accurate than any human ear, and they make tuning the guitar a much easier task. Not only are digital tuners more accurate, but they are also relatively inexpensive.

Available in stand alone or pedal format (or even as smartphone apps), a high quality tuner can make tuning and intonating (more about that later) an instrument much easier. A popular choice among many players are so-called contact tuners, which actually attach themselves to the guitar's headstock and provide accurate tuning from the guitar's vibrations. These tuners are relatively unobtrusive and inexpensive.

This is just a brief introduction on the issues involved with tuning your guitar. Please feel free to ask any questions about tuning, intonation, or the proper tuner for your needs!