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48 Part I: You Got a Right to Play the Blues Helping your guitar get in tune with itself
You can tune the guitar so that all six strings play in tune with each other,
even if it’s higher or lower than other fixed-pitch instruments (like the keyboard
or harmonica). Tuning the strings to each other is called relative
tuning. Start by establishing one string as the reference point, the string to
which you’ll tune the others. Note: The low E, or sixth string, is easiest to
use. Because this is your reference point, you don’t touch its tuning key.
To tune the other five strings, follow these steps:
1. Play the fifth fret of the sixth (low E) string and, while the string rings,
play the open fifth string (A). Listen closely to determine whether the
fifth string is higher or lower than the ringing, fretted sixth string. If the
fifth string sounds lower in pitch, or flat, turn its tuning key in the appropriate
direction to raise its pitch slightly until it matches perfectly the
ringing sixth string. If the fifth string is higher, or sharp, turn the tuning
key to lower the pitch.
2. Play the fifth fret of the fifth (A) string and the open fourth (D) string.
Let the strings ring together. If the fourth string is flat compared to the
fifth string, turn its tuning key to raise the pitch. If the fourth string is
sharp, turn its tuning key to lower the pitch.
3. Play the fifth fret of the fourth (D) string and the open third (G) string.
Let the strings ring together. If the third string is flat, turn its tuning key
to raise the pitch. If the third string is sharp, turn its key to lower the
pitch.
4. Play the fourth fret (not the fifth fret) of the third (G) string and the
open second (B) string. Let the strings ring together. If the second string
is flat, turn its tuning key to raise the pitch. If the second string is sharp,
turn its key to lower the pitch.
5. Play the fifth fret of the second (B) string and the open first (high E)
string. Let the strings ring together. If the first string is flat, turn its
tuning key to raise the pitch. If the first string is sharp, turn its tuning
key to lower the pitch.
It’s a good idea to back up and repeat Steps One through Five because some
strings may slip out of tune slightly during the tuning process.
TEAM LinG
Holding your guitar to an
electronic standard
Electronic tuners can be as small as a deck of playing cards and cost as
little as $25. You plug your guitar into it, or, if you’re using a non-electrified