Post by Len on Jun 2, 2009 4:43:05 GMT
For what it is worth, I thought I would pass on something I discovered recently. I used to find a lot of trouble tuning a guitar. Even on a good hearing day, on playing a chord, it would sound out of tune. Then you make adjustments – time consuming.
A Better Tuning Method
Those of you who have read about or seen some interviews will know that Bruce Welch’s tuning difficulties were part of the legend surrounding their breakup (Bruce acknowledges this himself in a book). He eventually had to get John Rostill to tune his guitar. Cliff says in his own recent autobiography that even then, Bruce had to check the tuning before going on stage. I recently reflect how Bruce was probably on to something without perhaps realising it. A guitar can never quite be tuned properly by any of the conventional methods. Luthiers will attest to this.
Here is what I find to be a better method of tuning a guitar, especially when playing with other instruments. Conventional keyboard instruments are tuned in what they call “tempered pitch”. Small adjustments are made by piano tuners for example. A guitar has to be tuned in “equal” temperament because the distance between the frets is the same relative to each string.
Most people tune their guitar in the conventional way (5th. fret and 4th. on the third string and sometimes use harmonics, usually involving the 5th. and 7th. frets. You probably know the deal with this. However, this method is inherently inaccurate. I won’t go into a detailed explanation here (it’s to do with the harmonics series) but if anyone wants to know, I can explain further or refer to other articles).
The Method:
Notes:
A) Listen to the “beats” or “pulses”. When two notes get close in pitch, their “beating” slows down until it disappears altogether. Then the tuning is perfect. This takes some listening skill (I use this in conjunction with an accurate chromatic electronic tuner – this makes it easier for me).
B) In each step below, pluck the harmonic first. Then fret and pluck the designated string. This allows the hearing of both notes simultaneously. Then tune the appropriate string.
1. Tune the D string to a known source
2. Pluck the 12th fret harmonic of the D then tune the G (fretted at the 7th fret) to this harmonic.
3. Pluck the same 12th fret harmonic of the D then tune the B (fretted at the 3rd fret) to this harmonic
4. Pluck the 12th fret harmonic of the G and tune the High E fretted at the 3rd fret to this harmonic
5. Tune the 12th fret harmonic of the A to the G fretted at the 2nd fret (pluck the harmonic first!)
6. Tune the 5th fret harmonic of the Low E to the High E open (pluck the harmonic first!)
I find that this works for me every time. I can play any chord after using this method and it will always sound in tune.
Note: For alternate tunings, find the fretted note on the string you are tuning and tune it to a 12th fret harmonic on a string below it. Old strings are difficult to tune. If you have difficulty achieving good intonation, I suggest that you change strings.
A Better Tuning Method
Those of you who have read about or seen some interviews will know that Bruce Welch’s tuning difficulties were part of the legend surrounding their breakup (Bruce acknowledges this himself in a book). He eventually had to get John Rostill to tune his guitar. Cliff says in his own recent autobiography that even then, Bruce had to check the tuning before going on stage. I recently reflect how Bruce was probably on to something without perhaps realising it. A guitar can never quite be tuned properly by any of the conventional methods. Luthiers will attest to this.
Here is what I find to be a better method of tuning a guitar, especially when playing with other instruments. Conventional keyboard instruments are tuned in what they call “tempered pitch”. Small adjustments are made by piano tuners for example. A guitar has to be tuned in “equal” temperament because the distance between the frets is the same relative to each string.
Most people tune their guitar in the conventional way (5th. fret and 4th. on the third string and sometimes use harmonics, usually involving the 5th. and 7th. frets. You probably know the deal with this. However, this method is inherently inaccurate. I won’t go into a detailed explanation here (it’s to do with the harmonics series) but if anyone wants to know, I can explain further or refer to other articles).
The Method:
Notes:
A) Listen to the “beats” or “pulses”. When two notes get close in pitch, their “beating” slows down until it disappears altogether. Then the tuning is perfect. This takes some listening skill (I use this in conjunction with an accurate chromatic electronic tuner – this makes it easier for me).
B) In each step below, pluck the harmonic first. Then fret and pluck the designated string. This allows the hearing of both notes simultaneously. Then tune the appropriate string.
1. Tune the D string to a known source
2. Pluck the 12th fret harmonic of the D then tune the G (fretted at the 7th fret) to this harmonic.
3. Pluck the same 12th fret harmonic of the D then tune the B (fretted at the 3rd fret) to this harmonic
4. Pluck the 12th fret harmonic of the G and tune the High E fretted at the 3rd fret to this harmonic
5. Tune the 12th fret harmonic of the A to the G fretted at the 2nd fret (pluck the harmonic first!)
6. Tune the 5th fret harmonic of the Low E to the High E open (pluck the harmonic first!)
I find that this works for me every time. I can play any chord after using this method and it will always sound in tune.
Note: For alternate tunings, find the fretted note on the string you are tuning and tune it to a 12th fret harmonic on a string below it. Old strings are difficult to tune. If you have difficulty achieving good intonation, I suggest that you change strings.
