How to Use an Electric Guitar Tuner

Electronic tuners simplify the tuning process.

One of the most frustrating parts of learning how to play guitar is tuning the instrument. If it is not tuned properly, it will not sound good, even if you are playing everything correctly. This is where electronic tuners come in. These small devices allow guitarists to perfectly tune their instruments. Although many different types of electronic tuners are on the market, they all work in more or less the same way.

Things You'll Need

• Guitar cable

Instructions

1. Turn on the tuner. If it doesn't turn on -- generally indicated by a screen or bulb lighting up -- replace the batteries.

2. Plug one end of a guitar cable into the input of the tuner and plug the other end into the output of your guitar.

3. Press the "Tuner" button on your electronic guitar tuner if one exists. Some tuners can be used as metronomes, pitch pipes and chord finders as well as tuning aides, so you may need to tell the unit how to function.

4. Press the "Note" button on your tuner if it has one. The name of the note that the tuner will read should appear on the screen. Cycle through the notes on your tuner until you find E. Chromatic tuners do not require you to press a "Note" button. Instead, they read the signal that is coming from your guitar and tell you what note you are playing.

5. Tune the low E string on your guitar. Most tuners have a guide on their screens that shows you if the note is flat (when the needle points to the left of the on-screen diagram), sharp (when the needle points to the right of the on-screen diagram) or if the note is in tune (when the needle points straight up). Use this diagram to accurately tune the low E string.

6. Repeat this process for the other five strings (A, D, G, B and E). Once you are done, double check the tuning of all six strings.

7. Unplug the guitar cable from the tuner and turn off the tuner to preserve battery life.

Tips & Warnings

• Most electric tuners have a built-in microphone for reading acoustic instruments. Remove as much background noise as possible and set the tuner near the sound hole of your guitar in order to help it properly read the notes you play.

• If your tuner isn't reading your electric guitar signal, make sure the volume is turned up.

• Don't overtighten any of your strings while tuning them. This may lead to you accidentally break one.

References

• Fret Jam: Your Guide to Electronic Guitar Tuners
• "Guitar for Dummies"; Mark Phillips, et al.; 1998

Resources

• Read this Article in Portuguese