Acoustic Guitars: Tuning and Getting Ready To Play

Acoustic Guitars: Tuning and Getting Ready To Play

Having appreciation for the instrument, a will to learn and play, will often start with the mastery of actually being able to tune the instrument (assuming all the parts are assembled and it has a pair of strings already on it!) that is!

There are many different ways to tune a guitar. Some use their ear, piano or a guitar tuner, tuning fork etc. Many styles, conventions and methods are being practices. Standard tuning, by string in the (EADGBE) order is followed. Here is a summary of what that means for each of the strings on the guitar. Most guides and playing guitar type manuals and tutorials will have this available – there are even online tuners that can be downloaded for free for beginners, or you could have your teacher/instructor show you how, tune it for you, until you are more familiar and comfortable with the technique:

–    sixth (lowest tone) string: E (a minor thirteenth below middle C—82.4 Hz)
–    fifth string: A (a minor tenth below middle C—110 Hz)
–    fourth string: D (a minor seventh below middle C—146.8 Hz)
–    third string: G (a perfect fourth below middle C—196.0 Hz)
–    second string: B (a minor second below middle C—246.92 Hz)
–    first (highest tone) string: E (a major third above middle C—329.6 Hz)

A guitar using this tuning can tune to itself by the fact the 5th fret on one string is the same note as the next open string i.e. a 5th fret note on the 6th string is the same note as the 5th string, apart from between the third and second string, where the 4th fret note on the third string equals the second string.

This method is great for beginners as it
enables simple fingering for many chords
facilitates the ability to play common scales
Allowing for minimal left hand movement

For some alternate tuning methods and solutions like common chord shapes, open play or capo movement enabled

Make it a regular part of your routine and priority, before playing anything on your guitar to tune and fine-tune it to ensure pitch and  optimal sound.

Being false and out of tune some compare with drawing with your fingernails across a chalkboard, it is annoyingly frustrating to listen to. It will not sound quite right. As far as fine-tuning goes, it is the first, basic and fundamental skill and competency to master before trying anything else, or adding any repertoire, learning chords, notes, scales etc.