Guitar Tuning – The Physics Way
Good day!
Now probably you’re thinking that I’m nuts because guitar tuning has nothing to do with physics. Well, the truth is, actually you can apply one of its law here. If you understand how it works you will be amazed because your eyes – yes, you read it right, your EYES! – can tell you whether your strings are in tune or not. Sounds good? Prove it! I wrote this article for the Beginner Guitar Lessons Blog only so keep on reading.
OK, back to the physics stuff: RESONANCE. Resonance occurs in two systems of the same frequency. A vibration in one system will trigger the other system to vibrate as well. This is not a sky rocket science because we can apply it easily in our guitar tuning practice.
Let’s look at the standard guitar tuning picture here:
First, take string #6 as a reference. This is the relationship between string #6 and string #5:
Press string #6 as shown above with your left hand’s first finger and pick it alternately with string #5 in open position. Tune your 5th string using the 6th string as reference: They should sound the same A note. Listen to the sound of both strings and compare the pitch with your ears. Now this is the best part: if both of them are in tune you can SEE the vibration of string #5 when you press and pick string #6 alone. You can not miss the vibration, especially on acoustic and classical guitars. The thicker the string, the bigger amplitude you will see. Now let’s move down to string #5 and #4 as shown below:
Since our string #6 and #5 are already in tune, you should tune the D string (#4, open position) so it matches string #5 pressed as shown in the picture above. Again you will see the vibration of string #4 if it is in tune. Move down further to string #4 and #3:
Now that our string #6, #5 and #4 are already in tune, you should tune the G string (#3, open position) so it matches string #4 pressed as shown in the picture above. Again you will see the vibration of string #3 if it is in tune. Starting from string #3 to string #1 the amplitudes are not as visible as the bass strings amplitudes but you still can feel them if you put your pinky finger very close to them. When they are vibrating they will touch your pinky finger. Move down further to string #3 and #2:
This is the only one position differs from the others. Since string #3 is already in tune then you have to tune the B string (#2) so it sounds the same B note of string #3 pressed as shown above. Finally we come to our last string:
OK, I believe you already know what to do with the last string. After you finish the tuning then you are ready to play it. You can also start tuning from string #1, if you assume that string is in tune. If none of the strings are in tune and you don’t have a proper guitar tuner or piano I suggest you to start from string #1. Give enough tension and set it as reference. The other strings then will have to refer to string #1 for tuning. Should you find that the bass strings (#4 – #6) are buzzing due to not enough tension applied then you have to increase the tension on the first string and repeat the guitar tuning process again.
To Your Guitar Success
-TJ-
Beginner Guitar Lessons Admin
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