Lesson 5- How To Tune Your Guitar

Note: Tuning the guitar to the correct pitch is probably going to be the most difficult to perform when first learning the guitar. You literally have to train your ear to hear the notes. This is almost impossible for beginners. Just know this. Tuning your guitar will be an ongoing journey. Don’t get to hard on yourself if you can’t get it.

Basic Relative Tuning

This type of tuning consists of using lower strings and pushing down on the 5th fret and plucking the string below it and tightening or loosing the string to match the top strings pitch. However, we must assume that the low E string or 6th string is tuned to the right pitch. If not? You could end up breaking your high E string from over tightening it too much.

Looking at the diagram to the right we will start by tuning the 5th string (A)(assuming the 6th String is tuned correctly).

• Place your index finger on the 6th string, 5th fret and pluck the 6th string.
• Pluck the 5th string while you let the 6th string ring through
• Tighten or loosen the 5th string until it matches the pitch of the 6th string
• Move your index finger to the 5th string, 5th fret and pluck the 5th string.
• Pluck the 4th string while you let the 5th string ring through
• Tighten or loosen the 4th string until it matches the pitch of the 5th string
• Move your index finger to the 4th string, 5th fret and pluck the 4th string.
• Pluck the 3rd string while you let the 4th string ring through
• Tighten or loosen the 3rd string until it matches the pitch of the 4th string
• Move your index finger to the 3rd string, 4th fret (note being on the 4th fret) and pluck the 3rd string
• Pluck the 2nd string while you let the 3rd string ring through
• Tighten or loosen the 2nd string until it matches the pitch of the 3rd string
• Move your index finger to the 2nd string, 5th fret (back at the 5th fret) and pluck the 2nd string
• Pluck the 1st string while you let the 2nd string ring through
• Tighten or loosen the 1st string until it matches the pitch of the 2nd string.

If this process was done correctly… Your guitar should be in tune.  I always try playing a D chord.  If the D chord sounds good?  You probably are in tune.  Note:  The B or 2nd string always seems to be the toughest string to get in tune.  Practice at it and you should be able to tune your guitar without an electric tuner in no time.

How To Use A Digital Tuner