How to Tune an Acoustic Guitar to Itself

This article is about tuning an acoustic guitar to itself. This is very helpful if you don't have an electronic tuner on hand.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Acoustic Guitar

1. Place guitar on lap.

2. Using your thumb and index finger, gently strum the top string. This string produces the E note. If the note is flatter than an "E", gently turn the corresponding tuning peg counter-clockwise. Continue to strum the string and adjust the tuning peg until the desired pitch is reached. If the pitch is too sharp (or higher), use the same process but turn the tuning peg clockwise instead.

3. Once the first string is tuned, you can move to the next string down. To tune this string, use your left middle finger to hold the top string down on the fifth fret, while alternating strumming the top and second strings. The sound should be identical. If it is not, proceed to tune the second string by using the system mentioned above.

4. Keep repeating the process for the next two strings. Then, move your left finger to the fourth fret to tune the second to the last string. Once tuned, move finger back to fifth fret to tune last string.

5. Repeat all steps, quickly. Then end with the customary guitar strumming.

[tmj755]

on 8/19/2009 Good article. :)

[thadeb]

on 8/16/2009 I really learned a lot!!