Relative Guitar Tuning Tips

Video Transcript

"Ok, so now we understand a little bit more about our fret board - about how to move up it using/counting notes. So, before previously we'd used an electric tuner and a pitch pipe in order to tune our open strings. But say we don't have these? Say that these aren't on hand? Now, with relative tuning, we can use these new frets to match up our notes. So watch: say we wanted to tune to the low "E" string, and you feel like this is in tune, ok? Well we have - this was "F", this was "G", and this was "A". Well "A" is also the open string underneath. So if you play the fifth fret on your low "E" string, your "A" underneath should sound the same. If you arch this finger you can play them together, and then tune accordingly. If you have a good enough reach, you can reach with your right hand over to your tuning peg. The same thing applies form the "A" to the "D" string. Wat ch - "A", "B", "C", and then "D". We can tune our open "D" string to the fifth fret of the "A" string. We can tune our open "G" string to the fifth fret of the "D" string. But then we have a problem when we hit the "G" string. Watch - "G" to "A" is a whole step, "A" to "B" is a whole step. Well "B" is the next string. So now we have to use the fourth fret here. And then we're back to using the fifth fret for the "B" string. So remember: fifth fret on the low "E" to "A", fifth fret of the "A" to "D", fifth fret of the "D" to "G", fourth fret of the "G" to "B", and fifth fret of the "B" to "E". Give this a try at home, as it will serve its purpose in tuning your guitar relatively."