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TUNING THE GUITAR
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Before you start playing your Guitar, you have to tune it, for it is impossible to make music with an
untuned instrument. In addition, do not hesitate to check the
tuning of your Guitar if what you play sounds strange. |
TUNING'S NECESSITY / METHODS
Tuning your Guitar is
extremely important. It is rather depressing to play with an untuned Guitar. For in this case even the most beautiful
pieces are unpleasant to hear. On the contrary, it is a real pleasure
to play on a well tuned instrument. There are several ways to
tune your Guitar, we will study three of them.
WITH AN ELECTRONIC TUNER
For a beginner it is the best method by
far, for the two others require a little practice. It is thus the one I recommend, especially as a tuner is not expensive...
On the tuner, choose the string you want to tune (note that some tuners make the selection themselves) and check on the modulation meter if the note is too low (switches on the left) or too high (switches on the right). The perfect tuning is reached out when the needle of the modulation meter is stabilized in the medium, on the zero (see figure I).

WITH A TUNING FORK
Tune the A string using the tuning fork, then check the
other strings by comparing them two by two (play the boxes indicated by
figure II).

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NOTE : you can hold the tuning fork between your teeth, at
the point indicated by the arrow, then strike its branches with a flick. The vibration will be transmitted to your ears via the jaw bones, and you will hear the sound in your head ! |
WITH A TELEPHONE
Pick up your phone, using the dialing tone tune the A string,
then check the other strings by comparing them two by two (see figure
III).

WHAT ONE SHOULD NOT DO
There is an ustensil which you must avoid. It is the tuning system represented on figure IV. It is not reliable and does not allow to tune your Guitar correctly, thus it is to proscribe.


© Amar GUERFI 1994-98