Alex Bonanno 
Overview
Tuning a guitar is an essential skill for any musician, whether you're a beginner or a seasoned pro. A guitar that is out of tune can make even the most skilled player sound amateurish, so it's important to take the time to learn how to tune your guitar properly. In this blog post, we'll discuss all the methods for tuning a guitar, so you can find the one that works best for you.
Method 1: Tuning With A Tuners
Using a tuner is the most common and easiest method for tuning a guitar. There are several types of tuners available, including clip-on tuners, pedal tuners, handheld tuners and mobile devices tuning apps. Each type of tuner works slightly differently, so it's important to understand the differences between them.
Clip-on Tuners:
A clip-on tuner, also known as a headstock tuner, is a small device that attaches to the headstock of a guitar and uses eather a microphone or the vibration of the guitar itself to detect the pitch of the string being played. It then displays the pitch on a digital screen and indicates whether the string is in tune or not.
The device is typically small and lightweight, making it easy to carry around with you. The microphone on the tuner picks up the sound of the string and processes it through the tuner's internal algorithm. This algorithm compares the pitch of the string to the standard pitch of the note it is supposed to be (example A,D,G,B,E) and displays the results on the screen. If the string is out of tune, the tuner will indicate this by displaying a different color or flashing light, and you can then adjust the tuning peg accordingly until the string is in tune. It follows the same procedure if the pitch of the note is captured by the Tuner from the vibration of the guitar.
Best Clip-On tuners on the market right now.
Handheld Tuners:
These tuners are designed to be held in the hand or kept on a surface. They use their microphone to detect pitch. They are more portable than pedal tuners, but they are not as convenient to use while playing. They are also more expensive than clip-on tuners. In my opinin aren't used that much anymore. They were very popular befor the clip-on tuners entered the marked
Best Handheld Tuners on the market right now.
Mobile and tablet tuning apps:
They are software applications that can be downloaded and used to tune a guitar on a mobile device such as a smartphone or tablet. These apps use the microphone on the device to detect the pitch of the string being played and display whether it is in tune or not.
To use a mobile or tablet tuning app, you first needs to download the app from the app store (iOS or Android) and install it on your device. Once the app is installed, you can open the app and start tuning up your guitar following the same procedure used for the clip-on tuner.
One of the main advantages of using a mobile or tablet tuning app is that it is very convenient and can be used anywhere. It also eliminates the need for a separate tuning device, as you can simply use your mobile device.
Many of these apps also include additional features such as metronome, chord charts, and guitar lesson. Some apps also have a "tuning by ear" mode, which allows musicians to practice tuning by ear and develop their sense of pitch.
Best mobile tuning apps on the market right now.
Method 2: Tuning By Ear
Traditional method
Tuning a guitar by ear is a traditional method that requires a good sense of pitch. The process involves listening to the pitch of the string and adjusting the tuning peg until it matches the standard pitch of the note.
The first step in tuning a guitar by ear is to start with the low E string. The best way to do this is to use a reference pitch, such as a piano or tuning fork.
Once you have a reference pitch, pluck the low E string and adjust the tuning peg until it matches the reference pitch. Once the low E string is in tune, you can use it as a reference to tune the other strings on the guitar.
To tune the A string, fret the 5th fret on the low E string and pluck both strings. The pitch of the A string should match the pitch of the fretted E string. Repeat this process for the D, G, B, and high E strings.
It's important to note that tuning a guitar by ear can be a bit tricky, especially for beginners. It's normal to make small adjustments to the tuning pegs multiple times before the string is perfectly in tune.
It's also essential to practice regularly to develop your sense of pitch. As you practice more, your ear will become more attuned to the sound of the guitar, making it easier to tune by ear.
Tuning a guitar with harmonics
Tuning a guitar with harmonics is a more advanced method that involves playing a harmonic on a string and adjusting the tuning peg until the harmonic matches the pitch of the fretted string. This method can be a bit tricky, but it can be helpful for fine-tuning your guitar's tuning.
The first step in tuning a guitar with harmonics is to locate the harmonic points on the guitar. These are the points on the string where the string vibrates in a way that creates a harmonic, or pure, tone. The most common harmonic points on a guitar are the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets.
Once you have located the harmonic points, you can begin the tuning process. Start by tuning one string to a reference pitch, such as a piano or tuning fork. Once the string is in tune, play the harmonic at the 5th fret 6th string, and then the 7th fret of the 5th string. The pitch of the 2 harmonics should match. If not adjust the tuning peg until it matches the pitch of the fretted string. Then play the harmonic on the 5th fret 5th string and 7th fret 4th string. Then 5th fren 4th string and 7th fret 3rd string. Then 7th fret 5th string and opend 2nd string. And finally 7th fret 6th string and open 1st string.
To Wrap Up
To conclude, tuning a guitar is an important aspect of playing and can greatly impact the sound of your instrument. There are various methods for tuning a guitar such as using a tuner, tuning by ear, using a reference tone, harmonic tuning, and mobile and tablet tuning apps. Each method has its unique benefits and drawbacks. It's important to choose the method that suits you best and with regular practice, you'll be able to tune your guitar with ease and precision.
