How to tune a classic guitar?

Not only beginners, but also quite experienced guitarists from time to time torment purely technical questions: how to replace a string with a guitar, if it is spoiled, or how to set up a completely new guitar, if you forgot to do it right in the store, or if it is upset, losing a couple of months without causes?

Musicians face such problems all the time, so you can prepare for them in advance. Today we will talk about how to tune a classical guitar in various ways so that everything with our favorite instrument is ok!

How to replace guitar strings?

Before replacing the string on the guitar, make sure that the label on the bag corresponds to the string that you are going to change.

1. Slide the string into a small hole in the deck stand. Secure it by making a loop.
2. Fix the other end of the string on the appropriate peg. Slide its tip into the hole and rotate the spike in the direction in which the other strings are already stretched. Note that the strings on the fretboard or near the pegs in any place should not overlap each other.
3. Tune your guitar. We will talk about this now.

It is necessary to say the following about it: if you change all the strings at once, then do it with care so as not to spoil the instrument. First you need to loosen all the old strings, and then take them off one by one. To stretch the strings in turn is impossible - we set everything up and stretch them not much, but so that they stand straight and do not intersect with the neighboring strings. Then you can slowly evenly lift the line, that is, to tighten the strings more strongly: to such an extent that you can start working on their setting.

Remember that new strings do not keep the pitch badly, and therefore they need to be tightened all the time. By the way, how to choose the new guitar strings correctly can be read here.

What and why should I play the guitar?

On the six-fretted neck you can see six mechanical pegs - their rotation pulls or lowers the strings, changing the sound in the direction of an increase or decrease in tone.

The first to sixth strings of the classical guitar are EBGDAE, i.e. MI-SI-SOL-RE-LA-MI. About the letter designations of sounds can be read here.

What is a tuner and how can I tune a guitar with it?

A tuner is a small instrument or program that allows you to not only tune a new guitar, but also any other musical instrument. The principle of operation of the tuner is quite simple: when the string is played, a letter image of the note is displayed on the instrument's display.

If the guitar is upset, the tuner will show that the string is low or high. In this case, while watching the note indicator on the display, slowly and smoothly twist the peg in the right direction, while regularly twitching the tuned string and checking its tension with the device.

If you decide to use the online tuner, then keep in mind that you need a microphone connected to your computer. Want to buy a tuner? Pay attention to the compact models that are mounted on the head of the neck (where the pegs are located). This model will allow you to customize the guitar even during the game! Very comfortably!

How to set up a six-string using a synthesizer (piano)?

If you know the location of notes on keyboards, then tuning the guitar will pass without problems! Just pick the right note (for example, mi) on the keyboard and play the corresponding string (here it will be the first). Listen carefully to the sound. Is there discord? Customize tool! Just do not need to focus on the piano, which itself with sin in half keeps the line, it’s better to turn on the synthesizer.

The most popular guitar tuning method

Back in the days when there were no assistant tuners, the guitar was tuned to the frets. Until now, this method is one of the most common.

1. Tune the second string. Press it on the fifth fret - the resulting sound should sound in unison (exactly the same) with the first open string.
2. Tuning the third string. Hold it on the fourth fret and check the unison with the second open.
3. Fourth - on the fifth fret. We check the sound identity with the third.
4. The fifth one is also pressed on the fifth fret, and we check the correctness of its setting by the open fourth.
5. The sixth one is pressed on the fifth fret and is checked by the fifth open sound.
6. After that, check the correctness of the instrument setting: pull the first and sixth strings together - they should sound identical with the difference in height only. Miracles!

What is the essence of settings for flakes?

About how to set up a classic guitar for flaolettes few people know. And in general, most do not know what flageolet is. Lightly touch your finger to the string directly above the threshold on the fifth, seventh, twelfth or nineteenth fret. Got a soft and slightly muffled sound? This is flageolet.

1. Tune the second string. Her flageolet on the fifth fret should sound in unison with the flageolet on the fifth fret of the first string.
2. Customize the fourth. We compare the sound of a sprocket on the seventh fret with the first string pressed on the fifth fret.
3. Tuning the third string. The flag on the seventh fret is identical to the sound of the box on the fifth fret of the fourth string.
4. Customize the fifth. The flag on the fifth fret sounds in unison with the flageo on the seventh fret of the fourth string.
5. And the sixth string. Her flageolet on the fifth fret sounds identical to the flageolet of the seventh fret of the fifth string.

Is it possible to tune the guitar without pressing anything, that is, on open strings?

If you are "listener", then tune the guitar on the open strings is not a problem for you! The method given below implies adjustment by pure intervals, that is, by sounds that are heard together, without overtones. If you get the hang of it, then very soon you will be able to distinguish the vibrations of the strings taken together, and how the sound waves of two different notes merge together - this is the sound of a pure interval.

1. Tune the sixth string. The first and sixth strings are pure octaves, i.e. identical sound with difference in pitch.
2. Customize the fifth. The fifth and sixth open - this is a clean quart, consistent and inviting sound.
3. Adjust the fourth. The fifth and fourth string is also a quart, which means that the sound must be clear, without dissonance.
4. Configure the third. The fourth and third strings are a pure fifth, its sound is even more harmonious and spacious compared to a quarter, because this consonance is more perfect.
5. Customize the second. The first and second strings are quarts.

You can learn about quarts, quints, octaves and other intervals by reading the article “Musical intervals”.

How to tune the first string on a guitar?

Any tuning method assumes that at least one guitar string is already tuned to the right tone. How to check if it sounds right? Let's figure it out. There are two options for setting the first string:

1. Classic - on the tuning fork.
2. Amateurish - by phone.

In the first case, you need a special device, which looks like an iron fork with two blunt teeth - a tuning fork. It should be slightly struck and bring the handle "fork" to your ear. The vibrating tuning fork makes a note “la”, according to which we will tune the first string: just press it on the fifth fret - this is the note “la”. Now we check whether the sound of the note “la” coincides on the tuning fork and “la” on the guitar. If yes, then everything is fine, you can tune the rest of the guitar strings. If not, then you have to tinker with the first.

In the second, "amateurish" case, just pick up the phone of the landline. Do you hear the beep? This is also "la". Tune your guitar in the previous example.

So, you can tune a classical guitar in different ways: on open strings, on the fifth fret, on flageolets. You can also use a tuning fork, tuner, computer programs, or even a regular stationary telephone.

Perhaps the theory is enough for today - go practice! You have enough knowledge on how to change the strings, and how to tune the guitar. It’s time to take in your hands the six-string “sick” and treat it with a good “mood”!

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Watch the video, which clearly demonstrates how you can tune the guitar using the “fifth-fret method”: