by Kody Hackbusch

Created on: March 01, 2009   Last Updated: March 04, 2009

An out of tune guitar ruins the fun of not only your playing but also listening, fortunately tuning is not a difficult task if you know the basics and it can actually be fun opening up more sounds and options than you previously thought possible. One beautiful characteristic of the guitar is the variety of tunings available and the sheer breadth of sounds one can create.

First off let's begin with what's known as standard tuning which is in the key of E. The strings are tuned as follows: E (thickest, top string) A, D, G, B and E (thinnest, bottom string.) To tune you will either need a reference note (which can be provided from a keyboard or another guitar or bass that is in tune) or an electronic tuner.

To tune to a reference note, play (or have someone else play) a note for example "E" on another instrument, let it ring out, listen to it and then turn your tuning pegs at the head of your guitar until your "E" string matches pitch. You will know when the two instruments are in tune because the notes will blend together sounding as one. If you are sharp (too high) or flat (too low) you will hear the distinction between your instrument and the reference instrument. One benefit of using a reference note is that you now have at least two instruments in tune so you can play together and this is also a great and easy way to tune up when in a band, just grab someone's E note, tune your E string to E and the have them play A, then D and so on until all six strings are tuned.

Electronic tuners are another method they can be purchased any place that sells musical instruments and are priced reasonably in the $20 or below range, although you can spend more if you desire expanded features, a quick look around your local guitar shop or a search online will give you an idea of what is available. Using a tuner is as simple as playing your string and watching the display which will tell you if you are sharp or flat, just turn the peg up or down until the tuner indicates that the desired string is in tune then move to the next string.

If you often play by yourself, here is a quick tip for tuning: Because of the design of guitar the strings need only be tuned in the appropriate intervals to sound good. In other words it is possible to tune the guitar unto itself thus making the strings in tune to one another. These intervals are easy to find on a guitar.

If you play the 5th fret on the top string, the note is A' so therefore you can play the 5th fret on your top string and tune

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