Guest Article by Padraig O’Kane from Miami Guitar Academy
Tuning a guitar ensures that each string resonates harmoniously with the others. Whether one is a seasoned musician or a novice, mastering the art of tuning is indispensable. This essay delineates three of the most effective methods for tuning a guitar, elucidating their procedures and merits.
Method 1: Tuning Your Guitar With An Electric Tuner
It’s so easy to get your hands on a great tuner.. for cheap! Standard tuning, which comprises the notes E-A-D-G-B-E from the lowest to highest string, can be effortlessly achieved with a tuner.
The procedure involves clamping the tuner onto the guitar’s headstock, plucking each string sequentially, and adjusting the tuning pegs until the tuner indicates the desired pitch. This method is very precise and accurate. It ensures that each string is tuned to the exact frequency. Additionally, tuners are portable and user-friendly, making them indispensable tools for both beginners and professionals.
Method 2: Tuning Your Guitar by Ear with Reference Tones
Tuning a guitar by ear requires a considerable more amount of skill but the great thing about that is it fosters a deeper understanding of musical intervals and enhances one’s ear.
This method necessitates a reference tone, typically obtained from a piano, tuning fork, or online reference pitch. Starting with the low E string, the guitarist compares the pitch of each string, pressing the string down at the fifth fret (for example starting with low E) and comparing that to the A string. One would then tune the A string to the already in-tune E string.
The process entails keen listening and discernment, as subtle discrepancies in pitch must be detected and rectified if you want to be playing in tune. While mastering this method may require time and practice, it empowers musicians to tune their guitars in any setting, independent of electronic devices.
Method 3: Tuning Your Guitar Using Natural Harmonics
Harmonic tuning is a technique employed by many guitarists of a certain generation. This used to be a “go-to” method. However, it is not the most accurate
And has henceforth fallen out of fashion. This method exploits the natural harmonics produced by lightly touching the string at specific points and plucking quickly one after the other. Although this is a pretty viable method, it would not be recommended as one of the methods to learn early on. It’s just that now simply electronic tuners are ubiquitous. They are even available as “free electronic tuners” if you search Google!
Conclusion:
Tuning a guitar is an indispensable aspect of playing the guitar. Nobody is going to be much interested in hearing you play if you are out of tune. Standard tuning with a tuner offers precision and convenience, while tuning by ear cultivates a deeper understanding of musical intervals.
Harmonic tuning, on the other hand, combines a bit of precision with resonance, even if it is not the most dependable method. Mastery of these methods empowers guitarists to unleash their full potential while being “in tune,” because “ain’t no body wanna hear a cockamamie tuned guitar!”
Are you a Miami local looking to learn guitar? If you’re looking for Guitar Lessons In Miami consider taking a lesson with Professor O’Kane at Miami Guitar Academy. With over 30 years of experience teaching guitar he has everything you need to improve your guitar skills and make rapid progress.