Guitars and Tuners

Tuning your guitar is one of the most essential skills every guitarist should know. Whether you're a beginner just starting out or a seasoned professional, having a reliable guitar tuner can make all the difference. In this short guide, we'll delve into everything you need to know about guitar tuners, from the types available to the best practices for keeping your instrument in tune.

Why Tuning Your Guitar is Crucial

Tuning your guitar ensures that you produce the correct pitch for each note you play. This is not only vital for solo performances but also when playing with other musicians. An out-of-tune guitar can lead to a frustrating experience, both for the player and the audience. Accurate tuning enhances the overall sound quality and helps in developing your musical ear.

Types of Guitar Tuners

There are several types of guitar tuners available on the market, each with its own advantages. Here are the most common ones:

1. Clip-On Tuners

Clip-on tuners attach directly to the headstock of your guitar and detect the pitch through vibrations. They are highly convenient and portable, making them ideal for live performances and quick tuning sessions. An advantage is that the clip-on tunes only the instrument it's clipped to, not the surrounding sounds. A disadvantage is that it runs on batteries (button cells) and they run out quick sometimes. Popular models include the Snark SN-8 and the Korg Pitchclip.

2. Pedal Tuners

Pedal tuners are a staple in many guitarists' pedalboards. They connect directly to your guitar and provide a visual representation of the pitch. Pedal tuners like the Boss TU-3 and the TC Electronic Polytune are known for their accuracy and durability. These are great for a quick check mid gig and are always on, so you can tune silently between songs.

3. App Tuners

With the advent of smartphones, tuning apps have become increasingly popular. Apps like GuitarTuna and Fender Tune offer a wide range of tuning modes and are a convenient option for on-the-go musicians. However, they may not be as accurate as dedicated hardware tuners as they are dependent on the quality of the microphone in your devices. They are so easy to use though and who doesn't have a phone these days? Of course if you decide to use a tuning app, we recommend using our custom built Tuner inside the Online Music Eternal Student Portal. We may be biased, but we think it's the best one out there for tuning apps.

4. Handheld Tuners

Handheld tuners are compact devices that can be used with any instrument. They usually have a built-in microphone or input jack for detecting the pitch. The Korg GA-50 and the Seiko SAT501 are excellent choices for guitarists. Many of them include a built-in metronome but not everyone enjoys the high-pitched beeping these electronic metronomes emit.

How to Tune Your Guitar

Tuning your guitar involves matching each string's pitch to a standard reference pitch. Here's a step-by-step guide to tuning your guitar:

Step 1: Know Your Standard Tuning

The standard tuning for a six-string guitar is E-A-D-G-B-e, from the lowest (thickest) string to the highest (thinnest) string. Be aware the lowest string in sound is at the top of the guitar, closest to your face when you play. The highest string in sound is at the bottom of the guitar, closest to the floor when you play. Many musicians use alternate tunings and we have briefly listed some of the popular ones below. The process for tuning remains the same.

• DADGAD Tuning: also known as the Celtic Tuning, this is our preferred start for beginner guitarists and plays a beautiful, warm Dsus4 chord when strummed open.
• Drop D Tuning: this is a popular tuning for rock and metal guitarists, as it allows for power chords with one finger.
• Open G Tuning: this tuning is popular with slide guitarists and is used in many classic rock songs.
• Open D Tuning: this tuning is similar to Open G but is a whole step lower, making it easier to play in the key of D.
• FACGCE Tuning: this is a popular tuning for fingerstyle guitarists and Math Rock musicians and is used in many acoustic guitar pieces. There are so many alternate guitar tunings out there, but we'll cover that in another blog post.

Step 2: Use a Reference Pitch

Use a tuning fork, piano, or an electronic tuner as your reference pitch. Ensure that your reference pitch is set to 440 Hz, the standard tuning frequency.

Step 3: Tune Each String

Starting with the low E string, pluck the string and adjust the tuning peg until the pitch matches the reference pitch. Repeat this process for each string, ensuring that you are tuning down to the pitch, not up to the pitch. Tuning higher than the pitch and then down to the correct pitch gives a more stable tune and the string is less likely to slip out of tune. (This depends on the guitar and peg setup you have and personal preference. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for the best results.)

Step 4: Double-Check Your Tuning

After tuning all the strings, go back and check each string again. Sometimes, adjusting one string can slightly affect the others.

Step 5: Fine-Tune as Needed

If any of the strings sound slightly off when played with the other strings, make small adjustments to ensure a blended tuning across the strings. Remember, consistent practice will improve your ear for pitch and make the tuning process faster and more accurate. Your teacher can help with this.

Tips for Maintaining Your Guitar's Tuning

• Regularly Change Your Strings: Old strings can become dull and lose their ability to hold tuning. Change your strings every 1-3 months, depending on usage. (Professionals will often change strings weekly)
• Keep Your Guitar in a Stable Environment: Extreme temperature and humidity changes can affect your guitar's tuning stability. Store your guitar in a case and avoid exposing it to direct sunlight or cold.
• Stretch New Strings: When you put on new strings, gently stretch them by pulling them away from the fretboard. This helps them settle in and hold tuning better.
• Check the Nut and Bridge: Ensure that the strings are properly seated in the nut slots and that the bridge is correctly positioned. Misalignment can cause tuning issues.

Best Guitar Tuners in 2024

Here are our top picks for guitar tuners in 2024:

• Snark SN-RE Clip-On Tuner: Known for its bright display and accuracy, this clip-on tuner is perfect for all levels of guitarists.
• Boss TU-3 Chromatic Tuner: A pedal tuner that offers robust construction and high precision, making it a favorite among professional musicians.
• Korg Pitchblack Advance: This pedal tuner is known for its ultra-high precision and clear display, ideal for stage performances.
• PortalTune: Our custom built tuner inside the Online Music Eternal Student Portal. It's easy to use and has a clean interface.
• Fender Tune App: A versatile tuning app that offers multiple tuning modes and is perfect for beginners and pros alike.

Conclusion

A well-tuned guitar is the key to musical sound and fun playing. By understanding the different types of tuners and how to best use them, you can make sure your guitar always sounds its best. We recommend learning to tune and practicing tuning within your lesson with your teachers support. This will help you develop your ear and make tuning easy.

Ready to take your guitar skills to the next level? Book a free trial lesson with Music Eternal and start your musical journey today!