How to tune a guitar

I am still interested in playing a guitar although I couldn't bring one to Australia. =)


That day when I was waiting for friends at 1 Utama, I went to Popular Bookstore to kill some time and I came across a few books about guitars. =)


So I read about types of guitars, chords, and how to tune a guitar.


I was really surprised how easy it was to tune a guitar!!


I used to think that you need ultra-super-good sense of hearing to be able to tune a guitar, just like how a piano technician tunes a piano.


Let's start with basics :


Get yourself used to the terms used in playing guitars. =)

Also the numbering of the fingers and symbols used.

Source : http://www.fenderplayersclub.com/pdfs/lessons/Guitar_Basics.pdf

Items you need :
1) A guitar (duh =P )

2) An instrument that can play the note "E".
e.g. piano, harmonica, tuning fork, etc.

3) Your ears and fingers =)


Let's say I'm using a harmonica.



Step 1 : 6th String is E

The 6th string is the thickest string or the first from the top.

Play the E note then compare it with the note produced when you pluck the 6th string open.

Which means you don't need to press down on any fret.

When the note produced by the 6th string is E, the 6th string is now in-tune.



Step 2 : 5th String = 6th String 5th Fret

For the 5th string, we will again play it open.

But this time we compare it with the note produced by the 6th string when you press the 5th fret as shown below :

And again, when the note produced by both strings are the same, the 5th string is in-tune.



Step 3 : Rinse and repeat

This step is the same as the previous, but you apply it on the 4th and 5th string.

Press the 5th fret of the 5th string and play the 4th string open.

It's really easy once you get the hang of it. =)



Step 4 : Ditto

If you've completed step 2 and 3, just repeat it once again. =)

The 4th string open should sound the same as 3rd string open.



Step 5 : DON'T REPEAT!!

To tune the 2nd string, you have to press the 4th fret of the 3rd string instead of the 5th.

Again, the 2 strings must sound the same.



Step 6 : Back to 5th fret

This step is the same as step 2-4.

After this step is done, vuala!

Your guitar is now tuned!!

And the best thing is, you did it yourself! =D