This
method is known as relative tuning. Relative tuning means
that you are tuning the guitar to itself by tuning to the sixth
string.
Relative tuning is easy to learn, but sometimes hard to master.
This is because the same note can sound different when played on a
different string. This difference is known as 'timbre'. On
the guitar this is due to the different thicknesses and composition of
the strings.
To
overcome the difference timbre can make and make it easier to tell
if the strings sound alike, try humming the notes you hear.
Humming will help you hear and sense the vibrations of the string and
better tell if the strings are in tune.
The
white dots on the following diagram indicate finger position of the
fretted notes used to tune the open strings. Below the diagram is
text describing the process in detail.
With relative tuning, you are going to tune the guitar to whatever note
the open 6th string is already producing.
Play
the 5th fret of the 6th string,
tune
the open 5th STRING to that note.
Play
the 5th fret of the 5th string,
tune
the open 4th STRING to that note.
Play
the 5th fret of the 4th string,
tune
the open 3rd STRING to that note.
Play
the 4th fret of the3rd string,
tune
the open 2nd STRING to that note.
Play
the 5th fret of the 2nd string,
tune
the open 1st STRING to that note.
Here is a great ear-training exercise. Tune the sixth string using an
electronic tuner. Once you have tuned the guitar, check your
tuning against the tuner to see how close you are.
If you do not have an electronic tuner you can use a tuning fork, pitch pipe
or other instrument to tune your guitar to 'concert' pitch. But, if
you do not have another method of tuning, relative tuning will let you play
a tuned guitar.
Advantages
of relative tuning:
There are many circumstances where you will come across an out of tune
guitar. The most common places for this to happen are,
believe it or not, music shops and pawn shops. Knowing how to use
relative tuning will let you try these instruments.
Knowing how to use relative tuning will impress your friends and other
musicians who can not tune a guitar without a tuner.
Relative tuning provides great 'ear training' by teaching you relative
pitch.
Disadvantages
of relative tuning:
Relative tuning will not necessarily put you in tune with other
musicians.
If the sixth string that you are tuning to is way too high in pitch, you
could break one of the thinner strings, but this rarely happens.
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