How to Tune Guitar Strings Using a Guitar Tuner

How to Tune Guitar Strings Using a Guitar Tuner

By: Jose Angelo VirayBy: Jose Angelo Viray

IntroductionIntroduction

This step by step process is to help beginner guitar players how to tune their guitar strings using a guitar tuner. This tuning process is more centered for the use of acoustic guitars. Tuning electric guitars are very similar to acoustic guitars, but will not be covered in this presentation.

This step by step process is to help beginner guitar players how to tune their guitar strings using a guitar tuner. This tuning process is more centered for the use of acoustic guitars. Tuning electric guitars are very similar to acoustic guitars, but will not be covered in this presentation.

Step 1: The TunerStep 1: The Tuner

- Buy guitar tuner- One can be usually be bought at a local music store

(Figure 1).

- Buy guitar tuner- One can be usually be bought at a local music store

(Figure 1).

Figure 1: Generic Guitar Tuner

Step 2: Placing the TunerStep 2: Placing the Tuner

- Place the electric tuner on a table close to the acoustic guitar and turn it on.

- Closer to the guitar the better.

- Turning on the tuner is very important.

- Place the electric tuner on a table close to the acoustic guitar and turn it on.

- Closer to the guitar the better.

- Turning on the tuner is very important.

Step 3: Plucking Strings Step 3: Plucking Strings

- Pluck the string desired to be tuned.- Usually, one starts off with the E-string (Thickest

string).

- Make sure to pluck hard for the tuner to pick up the sound waves.

- Pluck the string desired to be tuned.- Usually, one starts off with the E-string (Thickest

string).

- Make sure to pluck hard for the tuner to pick up the sound waves.

Step 4: Look at TunerStep 4: Look at Tuner

- Look at the tuner and follow flashing light or meter.

- The placement of the flashing light or meter defines if the string is in tune (Figure 2).

- A light or meter to the left/right of the note (middle) displayed on the tuner indicates it is not tuned. (Figure 2).

- Look at the tuner and follow flashing light or meter.

- The placement of the flashing light or meter defines if the string is in tune (Figure 2).

- A light or meter to the left/right of the note (middle) displayed on the tuner indicates it is not tuned. (Figure 2).

Figure 2Figure 2

A-string is not tuned!

Step 5: Adjust StringsStep 5: Adjust Strings

- Adjust the string until tuner indicates it is tuned.

- The string is adjusted by turning the respective tuning peg. This will tighten or loosen the string. (Figure 3). If the light or meter is to the left of the note played, tighten string, if right of note, loosen string.

- The tuner will display the correct tuning with the light or meter on the note (or middle of display screen) (Figure 4).

- Adjust the string until tuner indicates it is tuned.

- The string is adjusted by turning the respective tuning peg. This will tighten or loosen the string. (Figure 3). If the light or meter is to the left of the note played, tighten string, if right of note, loosen string.

- The tuner will display the correct tuning with the light or meter on the note (or middle of display screen) (Figure 4).

Figure 3Figure 3

Tuning Pegs

Figure 4Figure 4

Hey look! It’s tuned!

Step 6: Do All StringsStep 6: Do All Strings

- Repeat steps 3-5 for the rest of the strings.- Usually, after tuning E-string (Thickest string), tune

strings in descending order to the other E-string (Thinnest string).

- Figure 5 shows the different strings.

- Repeat steps 3-5 for the rest of the strings.- Usually, after tuning E-string (Thickest string), tune

strings in descending order to the other E-string (Thinnest string).

- Figure 5 shows the different strings.

Figure 5Figure 5

E-string(thickest)

D-string

A-string

G-string

B-string

E-string(thinnest)

Step 7: Play and EnjoyStep 7: Play and Enjoy

- Turn off the guitar tuner and play good music. Not bad music, because no one wants to hear that kind of stuff.

- Turn off the guitar tuner and play good music. Not bad music, because no one wants to hear that kind of stuff.

Good Music Bad Music