Tuesday, May 31, 2011

Advice For Tuning Your Guitar

By Jack Wogan


The guitar is a great instrument. It can help you accompany yourself when singing, or can sustain a whole piece all by itself. For this reason, it has always been one of the most popular instruments among young people and older ones as well. If you, too, are interested in learning to play the guitar, one of the most important things that you need to learn is how to tune it correctly. In the following article, you will be able to find some advice on how to deal with this issue.

First of all, you should know that there's always the option of having someone else tune your guitar, at least when you first buy it. For instance, you could ask the person at the music shop to do this for you, or a friend who already plays. However, this is not a permanent solution, because you will still have to learn how to tune it yourself in the end. As a matter of fact, it may even be easier if you start right from day one, because you will get used to the sound of the guitar and the technique you need to use.

Secondly, remember to use a guitar tuner or a pitch fork at least until you accumulate some experience in tuning. You don't even have to get an expensive one; the regular kind will do just fine. Use these instruments to tune the Low E string, and then tune the others by ear. This will help you get used to the sound and it will improve your musical abilities as well. In time and with enough practice, you will most certainly be able to tune it completely by ear.

Thirdly, you need to be aware that tuning should always be done by first going below the desired pitch (which means loosening the string), then going up by tightening it. This way, you will prevent the note from going flat while you play, which could really ruin the entire song for you. Another thing you could do if you notice the pitch is too high is stretch the string a bit, to give it some slack, and then readjust it.

Finally, remember to keep your guitar in good condition so that it can help you become the musician you want. Always store it in a special case when you're not playing, and invest in good quality accessories that you can find in stores online and off.




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