Guitar Studio: Online Music Academy

Learn to tune a guitar (standard E-tuning @ 440hz)

A guitar that is not properly tuned sounds out of tune, which does not promote the development of musical hearing. In addition, it is impossible to play together with other musicians if all instruments are not tuned correctly and / or not tuned according to the same tuning … Unless you want to scare away the neighbors, roommates or the public!

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Temperature and Guitar Tuning: Tips for Performances

If it is a degree warmer in the rehearsal room than in your home, the guitar will need to be retuned.

Tips for Performances:
A useful tip when you’re about to perform: place your guitar on stage an hour before the performance so it can acclimate. It’s often much warmer on stage (due to lighting, etc.) than in the dressing room. Do not tune the guitar until it has adjusted to the stage temperature. Imagine what would happen if you walked onto the sweltering stage with a tuned “cold” guitar from the dressing room… Within 60 seconds, your guitar will sound terribly out of tune!

How Temperature and Playing Affect Tuning:
Not only does the ambient temperature affect the tuning of the guitar, but playing the guitar also detunes it. There is a certain tension on the strings, which causes them to stretch slowly but surely. With certain playing techniques, the tension on the strings will increase, such as bending or using the whammy bar. For instance, playing a Pink Floyd-like song, you will notice that the typical David Gilmour technique, with bends of sometimes 2 to 2.5 tones, can quickly detune your guitar.

How to Tune Your Guitar Correctly

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String Names in Standard E-Tuning

In standard E-tuning, the names of the strings on a guitar, starting from the thickest string down to the thinnest, are: E (6), A (5), D (4), G (3), B (2), and E (1).

Understanding 440Hz Tuning

A common mistake many guitarists and musicians make is forgetting that in Western music, we tune our instruments to 440Hz. In other countries, different music styles, or even older pieces, tunings can range from 435Hz to 445Hz. Many guitar tuners allow you to set this frequency. Beginners often complain that their guitar sounds off despite tuning it, only to find out that the Hz setting was accidentally changed, for example, to 435Hz. Always check that your tuner is set to 440Hz.

Steps to Tune Your Guitar

  1. Play the Open E-String: Start with the thickest string (top string). Play it once and let it ring; do not strike it continuously. Use your neck pickup as it tunes better than the bridge pickup due to the string’s wave movement.
  2. Check the Tuner Display: When the tuner displays the letter E (or sometimes E6 for the 6th string), the pitch is close. The indicator or light on the tuner will show if the pitch is too low (pointer to the left) or too high (pointer to the right).
  3. Adjust the String Tension:
    • If the tuner shows D# or Eb, the string is too loose and needs to be tightened.
    • If the tuner shows F, the string is too tight and needs to be loosened.
  4. Fine-Tuning:
    • Let the string ring as you adjust the tuning keys; do not strike it repeatedly.
    • Note that a string often sounds slightly too high just after striking (attack/decay). The tuner’s pointer will indicate “too high” initially but should settle to the correct pitch almost immediately. Adjust during the sustain sound for the most accurate tuning.
  5. Confirming Correct Pitch: When the pitch is correct, the pointer will be in the middle and/or a green light will illuminate.

Final Tips

  • Always check that your tuner shows 440Hz before tuning.
  • Tune each string using the method described, ensuring each note is accurate for a perfectly tuned guitar.

Tips for Perfect Guitar Tuning

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Essential Guitar Tuning Tips

1. Adjust Slowly:
Never turn the tuning keys too quickly. A minimal change can significantly affect the pitch. Always approach the pitch from below. If the E string sounds too high, loosen the tuning key until the tone drops just below E. Then, tighten the string until it reaches the perfect E. This method prevents sudden detuning during your next session.

2. Tune All Strings:
Once the E string is tuned, repeat the same steps for all other strings. Tune the guitar several times in a row because the tension on the strings can cause the guitar neck to bend slightly, detuning the previously tuned strings.

3. Stretch the Strings:
After tuning all strings, pull each string up a few inches and release it. Check the tuner again; you’ll notice some strings may have dropped in pitch. Don’t worry about breaking a string when pulling it. If a string breaks, it could be due to wear, recent replacement, or a manufacturing defect. It’s better for a string to break during tuning than during a performance!

Overcoming Frustration
Tuning a guitar can be frustrating at first and may take up to half an hour. However, practice makes perfect. With time, you’ll be able to tune your guitar in just 10 seconds!