Comments on How to Tune a Guitar by Ear

No guitar is perfect. Tuning in lots of different places is the best way to be the most accurate. If you don't have time, this is the most accurate way to tune (as long as your frets are pretty good): tune A first to a tuning fork (if available).Then, tune the low E string using the 12th fret harmonic on the E string and the fretted 7th fret on the A string. Don't ever tune using the 7th fret harmonic, as it is out of tune on every guitar ever made. It's just a wierd harmonic problem the instrument has. Once your E string is in tune, use your 12th fret harmonic on E again to tune the fretted 2nd fret of your D string. Then use the 5th fret harmonic on the E string to tune 9th fretted G string, 5th fretted B string, and open high E string. Even this is imperfect. The most noticable problem is on the G string when switching between an open E chord (1-5-1-3-5-1) to an open C chord (1-3-5-1-3)(those are chord members, not frets). There will always need to be a compromise somewhere.

If you strum the string you are tuning to, make sure and strum it multiple times, memorizing the sound. When you strum the actual string you are tuning, it will be much easier to tune.

Makes tuning easy as both strings produce sound at the same time even while adjusting pitch. If the low E string is in tune, then a harmonic on the 5th fret should sound the same as one on the 7th fret of the A string. (On open B string, use E 7th fret.)

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

If you strum the string you are tuning to, make sure and strum it multiple times, memorizing the sound. When you strum the actual string you are tuning, it will be much easier to tune.

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.

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

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.