Electric Guitar Lesson for Beginners (Part 2)

In Part 1:

Electric Guitar Lesson for Beginners (Part 1)

we have already covered some basics on a few “hows”, including how to create your personal practice zone, how to wire up your guitar, how to hold your guitar, how to strum (with your pick) as well as how to strengthen your hands. Now, we’re going to find out the last how—how to tune your guitar.

Tuning the Guitar is the most crucial aspect of playing music well. Here are two of the commonest ways to tune your guitar.

1. Tuning the guitar with an electronic tuner

An electronic tuner has input and sometimes output. Connect the cable to the guitar as well the input of the tuner. Then pluck the strings one by one and the tuner will detect and display the pitch of musical notes played on each string. While the output being connected to an amplifier, it’s all plugged into the chain. Professional guitar players tend to use an electronic tuner as they can have a quick reference anytime they need.

2. Tuning the guitar with the relationship each string has to its neighbor(s).

To begin with, there are two things you should know about.

• The open strings from the thickest to the thinnest are E, A, D, G, B and E respectively.
• Tightening the peg will make the pitch higher, whereas loosening the peg will make the pitch lower.

Now, tune the thickest string, i.e. E String, as accurately as you can. Then, place your index finger on the 5th fret of the low E string, which is an A note. Since your 5th string is an open A string, it should sound exactly like the note on the 5th fret of the E string. Keep your finger on that fret, pick the open 5th string and fretted 6th string in turn. Gently adjust the 5th string tuning peg until the two notes are in harmony.

Afterwards, we need to tune the D string. Place your index finger on the 5th fret of the A string. That’s a D note. Pluck the fretted 5th string and the open 4th string alternately and adjust the 4th string tuning peg until the pitch of the 4th string matches the pitch of the 5th fret of the 5th string.

Now we’ll be moving to the 3rd string (G string). Place your index finger on the 5th fret of the D string, which is a G note. Pluck or alternate pick the fretted 4th and open 3rd strings, adjusting the 3rd string tuning peg until the 3rd string is in harmony with the 5th fret of the 4th string.

Next, place your index finger on the 4th fret of the G string. That’s a B. Tune your 2nd string to that note.

Finally, place your index finger just behind the 5th fret on the B string. That’s a E note. Tune the thinnest string (high E string) to that, again by adjusting the 1st string tuning peg until the pitch of the E string matches the 5th fret of the B string.

Once you have the guitar tuned by ear, go through the strings again. This allows you to double-check whether the strings are where they should be.

Tuning a guitar with your ears can be difficult when you first start. However, if you take it seriously and practice with it on a regular basis, you’re going to master it anyway.

---

Reference:
pan5410.pixnet.net