Tuning

Danny Poole · 15-07-2004

There are a few different ways you can tune your guitar:

Comparing one string to another
Using an electronic tuner
Tuning to another instrument (piano, another guitar, keyboard, etc)
By using natural harmonics on the guitar
By listening to the sound of any major chord (this method takes a little experience)
Comparing octaves over the strings

Each one of the above tuning methods uses the beating effect (as shown on the tuning section of G.T.O. "How To Tune" Section). If you don't understand this method, then tuning will be difficult.

When you tune the strings on your guitar, you're tuning one string to another. You will tune your 5th string by the sound of the 6th string, once your 5th string is tuned you will then tune your 4th string to the sound of you 5th string. Then tune your 3rd by your 4th, 2nd by your 3rd and 1st by your 2nd.

JustinThyme · 08-11-2005

Are there any ways of increasing that beating effect, to make the process more accurate ... by using distortion, harmonics, whatever?

JT

Danny Poole · 08-11-2005

Any effect that will sustain the note longer (distortion, compression) will help you hear the beating effect.

Harmonics are a great way to tune because you can have your fretting hand free to turn the tuning pegs and you are not putting and extra tension on the strings by pressing down on them. Couple this with distortion and the notes will sustain long enough for you to tuen in one hit.

JustinThyme · 10-11-2005

Danny - how about a mini-lesson on tuning using harmonics? I was shown this once, and I do recall it seeming a sophisticated and accurate way of tuning at the time, but the details are lost.

Thanks

JT

15-07-2004	#1
Danny Poole Administrator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Townsville, Australia. Age: 37 Posts: 3,167 Rep Power: 10	Tuning There are a few different ways you can tune your guitar: Comparing one string to another Using an electronic tuner Tuning to another instrument (piano, another guitar, keyboard, etc) By using natural harmonics on the guitar By listening to the sound of any major chord (this method takes a little experience) Comparing octaves over the strings Each one of the above tuning methods uses the beating effect (as shown on the tuning section of G.T.O. "How To Tune" Section). If you don't understand this method, then tuning will be difficult. When you tune the strings on your guitar, you're tuning one string to another. You will tune your 5th string by the sound of the 6th string, once your 5th string is tuned you will then tune your 4th string to the sound of you 5th string. Then tune your 3rd by your 4th, 2nd by your 3rd and 1st by your 2nd. __________________ Remember, If it was meant to be easy everybody would be a great guitarist.

08-11-2005	#3
Danny Poole Administrator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Townsville, Australia. Age: 37 Posts: 3,167 Rep Power: 10	Any effect that will sustain the note longer (distortion, compression) will help you hear the beating effect. Harmonics are a great way to tune because you can have your fretting hand free to turn the tuning pegs and you are not putting and extra tension on the strings by pressing down on them. Couple this with distortion and the notes will sustain long enough for you to tuen in one hit. __________________ Remember, If it was meant to be easy everybody would be a great guitarist.

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08-11-2005	#2
JustinThyme Newbie ! Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 51 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Are there any ways of increasing that beating effect, to make the process more accurate ... by using distortion, harmonics, whatever? JT

10-11-2005	#4
JustinThyme Newbie ! Join Date: Oct 2005 Age: 51 Posts: 13 Rep Power: 0	Danny - how about a mini-lesson on tuning using harmonics? I was shown this once, and I do recall it seeming a sophisticated and accurate way of tuning at the time, but the details are lost. Thanks JT

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