Guitar Tuning
More Ways to Tune
Using Octave Shapes for Guitar Tuning
Guitar tuning can also be done using octaves. An octave is a frequency doubling (same note twice higher) or halving (same note below - half as fast). Octaves are an incredibly effective way to learn all of the notes on the guitar. These exercises show you how to do this.
These are the octave shapes on the guitar. Listen for a 'leveling' of the tones. They should sound the same (same tone, twice higher or lower). Use any.
Next are some other conventional ways to tune.
Use a Tuner
A tuner is a device that guages the frequency (the pitch - high/low) of your strings. It 'listens' to the strings, & provides a visual reference for you to tune a string one at a time. This is the 'easiest' tuning method. Even if you utilize a tuner, practice other methods of tuning using your ear. Sometimes recordings can be 'out of tune' with a tuner, or those batteries run out, or you might forget to bring it, so having other ways to tune is important. One the key points here is that your strings have to be in the range of the tone you are targeting. These reference tones help with this.
Use a Tone from a Recording
Most music generates a key-tone (the tone that is 'home'). The song itself 'tells' the ear to what pitch the strings should be tuned (please practice this).
You can also listen for open strings or chord voicings you know & tune any note that you recognize.
Once at least one string is in tune, use the 5-0 method or harmonics or octaves to tune the remaining strings.
Use a Chord
Select a chord you are familiar with, like E Major (a good choice).
Really listen to the resonance & interaction of the tones. Pluck each note slowly low to high. Make adjustments as necessary to get the resonance correct.
Standard tuning is only one guitar tuning. Your guitar can reach nearly 150,000 different tunings.
