itune

A quiet page about getting in tune.

Every instrument starts with one note. Pick it, listen, and move the string until the beating between it and the reference slows down and disappears. That is all tuning is: patience and a good ear.

Standard guitar tuning

By ear, in five steps

1. Take the reference: concert pitch A is 440 Hz, the A above middle C.
2. Tune the 5th string to it, then the others against the fifth fret of the string below.
3. Always approach the note from below: tune slightly flat, then bring the string up to pitch.
4. Listen for the beating. The slower it gets, the closer you are; when it stops, the strings agree.
5. Play a chord, then check the strings again: new strings and warm rooms both drift.

Other tunings

Drop D lowers the sixth string from E to D (73.42 Hz) and leaves the rest alone. Half a step down, every string sits a semitone flat, which is gentler on the neck and easier on the voice.