“I am pressing my fingers in the exact right spots, but the song sounds absolutely terrible!” how to tune a guitar
If you are a beginner, this is the most frustrating moment in your musical journey. You think you are doing something wrong with your hands, but the truth is, your instrument is simply out of tune. A guitar is made of wood and metal; every time the temperature changes or you bump it against a wall, the strings stretch and slip out of tune. how to tune a guitar
At Key Tech Music School, the very first thing we teach our international students is how to become independent. You cannot rely on a teacher to tune your instrument for you every week. If you want your chords to sound beautiful and professional, here are 5 proven steps on how to tune a guitar fast.
1. Memorize the “Standard Tuning” Secret Code how to tune a guitar
Before you can tune the guitar, you have to know what notes the strings are actually supposed to be!
A standard guitar has 6 strings. From the thickest string at the top (closest to your chin) to the thinnest string at the bottom (closest to the floor), the notes are: E – A – D – G – B – E.
- The Memory Hack: To memorize this instantly, just remember the phrase: “Elephants And Donkeys Grow Big Ears.” If you can remember that silly sentence, you will never forget your string names!
2. Download a Free Tuning App (Or Buy a Clip-On) how to tune a guitar
You do not need to possess perfect pitch or a magic ear to learn how to tune a guitar. Technology does the hard work for you.
- The Free Option: Download an app like GuitarTuna or Fender Tune on your smartphone. The app uses your phone’s microphone to listen to the string and tells you on the screen if it is too high or too low.
- The Pro Option: Buy a “Clip-On Tuner” (like a Snark) for around ₹1,000. It clips to the headstock of your guitar and reads the physical vibrations of the wood. This is perfect if you are in a noisy room where a phone microphone won’t work!
- Still need an instrument? What Nobody Tells You Before Buying a Beginner Guitar
3. The “Pluck and Turn” Method
Now it is time to tune the thickest string (The Low ‘E’).
Follow the string all the way up the neck to its specific tuning peg. Pluck the string loudly one time and let it ring out. Look at your phone app or clip-on tuner.
- If the screen says the note is Flat (the needle is to the left), the string is too loose. You need to turn the peg to tighten it until the needle hits the dead center and turns green.
- If the screen says the note is Sharp (the needle is to the right), the string is too tight. You need to turn the peg to loosen it until the needle drops back to the green center.
4. The Golden Rule: Always Tune “Up” how to tune a guitar
This is the greatest secret of professional guitar technicians.
When you are learning how to tune a guitar, what happens if your string is too “Sharp” (too high)? You have to loosen the peg, right? Yes, but if you only loosen it until the needle hits green, the string can catch on the nut of the guitar and instantly go out of tune the second you start playing.
The Secret: If a string is too high, loosen it significantly until it is way too low (Flat). Then, slowly tighten it up to the perfect green center. Always approach the perfect note by adding tension, never by releasing tension!
5. The “Stretch” Test for New Strings
If you just bought a brand-new guitar or put fresh strings on it, you will notice it goes out of tune every 5 minutes. This is completely normal!
New strings need to stretch. To speed up this process, tune the guitar perfectly to the green center. Then, take two fingers, grab the string around the 12th fret, and gently pull it straight up away from the wood (like a bow and arrow) to stretch it out. It will instantly go out of tune again. Retune it, stretch it again, and repeat this 3 times. Your guitar will now stay in perfect tune for weeks!
- Ready to learn your first shapes? Ultimate Guide: Easiest Guitar Chords for Beginners
Stop Fighting Your Instrument how to tune a guitar
Learning how to tune is the first step to independence. But if your guitar is perfectly in tune and your fingers still hurt, you might be holding the neck incorrectly. Having a professional instructor watch your hands via webcam is the fastest way to fix bad habits.
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