How to Tune a Six String Acoustic Guitar
An out-of-tune guitar can destroy your sound, no matter how technically proficient you are at playing the instrument. Acoustic guitars are a little more difficult to tune properly than electric guitars because you can't plug a digital tuner straight into the instrument (unless you have an acoustic-electric guitar). However, a tuner with a built in microphone is still an excellent, relatively inexpensive way to accurately tune an acoustic guitar.
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Instructions
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With a Tuner
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1
Hold the tuner close to the sound hole of your acoustic guitar and turn it on. Make sure there are no loud sounds that may interfere with tuning your guitar.
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2
Hit the thickest string. Once the tuner picks up the sound, it will tell you what note the string is playing. Turn the tuning key on the headstock of the guitar until the note on the tuner reads E. A properly tuned low E string will be tight, but you shouldn't have to struggle with the tuning key to reach the note.
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3
Tune the rest of the strings in a similar manner. Acoustic guitars are tuned to E A D G B E from the thickest to the thinnest string. Once you are done, double check that all the strings are still in tune.
Without a Tuner
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4
Find a reference note from which to tune your low E string. Another in-tune instrument works well for this purpose, such as a piano. Tune the low E string of your guitar to the same pitch as the reference note.
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5
Play the fifth fret on the low E string. Tune the A string (the one directly next to it) to this pitch. Repeat this process until you get to the second thinnest string (the B string).
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6
Play the G string (third thinnest) on the fourth fret. Tune your B string (second thinnest) to this note.
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7
Play the fifth fret on your B string and tune the high E string to this note. Make sure your other strings are still in tune.
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Tips & Warnings
You can break strings by winding them too tightly. If you think that the string is on the verge of breaking, loosen it and start again.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit acoustic guitar image by Nicky Jacobs from Fotolia.com
