Lesson 1 Acoustic Guitar: Basics How to Tune Your Guitar

by Mickey Cochran

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Tuning Your guitar

The guitar is tuned with the following arrangement on the strings (from the top lowest to the bottom highest): E A D G B E

Here's a diagram illustrating this tuning sequence with each string's note denoted along with the corresponding tuners:

Now for the different methods of tuning...

1. Tuning the guitar to itself. First you'll need a reference such as a tuning fork, piano or guitar. Once you have one of the strings tuned properly, you only need to fret to match the other strings as follows:

A string matches E string at the 5th fret of the E string

D string matches A string at the 5th fret of the A string

G string matches D string at the 5th fret of the D string

B string matches G string at the 4th fret of the G string

E string matches B string at the 5th fret of the B string

2. Tuning the guitar to an electronic tuner. This is the method I recommend to all beginners since it's the easiest approach and the most accurate approach. There are a variety of tuners available on the market. Be sure to get one that's designed for guitar....such as a Korg GA-20.

Click here for more info on the highly recommended Korg Chromatic Electronic Tuner

Most electronic tuners have an automatic mode where the user can see both an LCD readout depicting a needle that centers when properly tuned and the note being played. There are usually LEDs that also give a green or red light depending on whether you've reached the designated note. I highly recommend that all beginners have an electronic tuner as a reference. This is also considerate to others who have to listen to you practice. When you're accurately tuned, it's difficult to hit a sour note.

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