Comments on: How to Tune a Guitar by Ear

on 11/22/2005 Some people use a standard telephone dial tone as concert A 440 pitch to tune the A string and then go from there. Others say that it is not the exact pitch, but it is close enough.

on 11/22/2005 Instead of buying a pitch pipe for each string, just get one with the pitch of E. Tune the thickest string first, then fret the fifth fret and pluck the string below that open. On the G string, press the fourth fret.

on 11/22/2005 Using the E chord, you can usually tell when your guitar is in tune. Strum relatively slowly, but not too slow. Practice detuning randomly and then tuning by ear. Then check yourself with a tuner.

on 11/22/2005 Always listen to the in-tune note longer then the note you're tuning. If you actually take the time to hear the correct note, tuning the next string will be a snap.

on 11/22/2005 After you tune it once, go back and do it again. Sometimes, especially when you re-string, the neck tension changes as you tune and throws off the other strings.

on 11/22/2005 Never leave a string tuned when it was loosened. To adjust the tuning, always drop it lower and bring it higher back into tune.

on 11/22/2005 Sometimes, if a guitar needs constant tuning even after it's new (and especially if it buzzes a lot even with proper fingering), the neck may need to be adjusted by a professional.

on 11/22/2005 If you are tuning new strings, stretch them by pulling up on them and then retune. Keep doing this until you can stretch and still be in tune. Your guitar will stay in tune much longer.