How to Tune a Guitar & Intonation

Tuning your guitar is important to enjoyment of the instrument.

A guitar has six strings that are tuned to the the familiar E, A, D, G, B and E configuration. Tuning a guitar can be accomplished using a keyboard, a tuning pipe or various electronic devices. You can also tune your guitar to no particular key using a simple method --- if you have a decent ear --- with no equipment at all.

Things You'll Need

• Keyboard or other tuning device (optional)
• Pick (Optional)

Instructions

1. Strike the low E note on a keyboard. Then pluck the sixth (thickest) string on your guitar. What you listen for is an identical tone. Twist the tuning key about a quarter-turn at a time to tighten or loosen the string, plucking the string as you do so. If the string is too flat, you will need to tighten it; too sharp, you'll loosen it. When you match the string's tone to the E on the keyboard, move on to the next string, which is A, and locate the A key above the E you just used on the keyboard. Do the same as you did with the E string. Proceed to the next, always moving up on the keyboard, until all strings have been matched to their corresponding notes.

2. Blow into the tuning pipe on the pipe that corresponds to the string you are tuning. While turning the tuning key, pluck the string until the tone of the pipe and the string match. Do the same with the remaining strings. Recheck your tuning if you are using the strings for the first time since they continue to stretch somewhat at first. The only difference in this method and using a keyboard is that you don't have to find the notes on the keyboard, the pipe is tuned to the appropriate notes for tuning a guitar.

3. 

   Tuning pegs on a guitar can be metal or another material.

   Use an electronic tuner. If you question whether your own ear can assist with tuning your guitar, there are a number of devices available that circumvent that skill. Electronic tuners use vibrations to determine whether strings are tuned correctly, showing accuracy in several ways. The older electronic tuners have a dial (similar to those used to check a battery charge, for example) with a needle that shows the string's tone. When the needle is centered perfectly, the string is tuned. Other devices use lights to show proper tuning and are very simple to use. One tuner with lights is shaped like a guitar pick allowing you to pluck the string with it as you tune it. Follow the directions that come with your gadget.

4. 

   A tuned guitar does not stay tuned, so learning to tune it yourself is a skill you'll always need.

   Play first the low E string when tuning by ear. Tighten or loosen it to the point you believe sound correct. Then play it while depressing the string at the fifth fret and while plucking the A string. Turn the tuning key for the A string until the two tones match. Next, depress the fifth fret on the A string and tune the D the same way. Tune the G string while depressing the fifth fret on the D string. When tuning the B string, depress the fourth fret of the G string. To tune the high E string, depress the fifth fret on the B string.

Tips & Warnings

• Strings can make a great impact on the tone of your guitar, once it's properly tuned. It is recommended to replace your strings every three to six months depending on how much you play.

• Hum the notes as you tune --- this will help you decide whether the string is too low (flat) or too high (sharp).

• Stretching a guitar's string too rapidly or too tightly can cause it to break, so tighten them in small increments and use caution to avoid injury.

References

• Guitar For Beginners and Beyond : Online guitar tuner - E A D G B E

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Guitar Tuning Software - Professional Guitar Tuner Download
• Guitar For Beginners and Beyond : Over 1000 free guitar lessons with 10,000 members