Tuning question

jtdevan · Unread post by **jtdevan** » Mon May 12, 2003 3:17 pm

I had a question about tuning. I know how to use the regular method of tuning (5th fret=next string, except for the G string where you use the 4th fret to get the B). But what about using harmonics to tune? I see people do that a lot, including Dave, and sometimes the guys at Guitar Center when they are tuning the guitar for a newbie. I am not a newbie, but was just wondering how to tune this way and whether or not it is more accurate (and easier) than the other method.

If not, I always have my trusty automatic tuner!!!

Thanks.

DustyDave · Unread post by **DustyDave** » Mon May 12, 2003 3:37 pm

Tuning with harmonics can be pretty cool , it has a nice ring sound and some people find it easier , personally i think it sounds cooler to tune with harmonics than the standard 5th fret = open etc etc ....

Play the 5th fret harmonic on the 6th string, then play the 7th fret harmonic on the 5th string ..

Play the 5th fret harmonic on the 5th string, then play the 7th fret harmonic on the 4th string ..

Play the 5th fret harmonic on the 4th string, and the 7th fret harmonic on the 3rd string ..

You will not play the harmonic on the 5th fret of the 3rd string to tune the 2nd string. Instead, play the 7th fret harmonic on the 6th string and tune the 2nd string open to that ..

Play the 7th fret harmonic on the 5th string to tune the 1st string open ..

For the top 2 strings, you could return to the method that you used on the bottom 4 strings. Play the 5th fret harmonic on the 2nd string, and use that to tune the 7th fret harmonic on the 1st string. These notes get pretty high, so they are a little bit harder to tune with ..

Hope this helps

jtdevan · Unread post by **jtdevan** » Mon May 12, 2003 3:53 pm

cool man thanks. But is there a way to get the top string to the tuning it should be so I can tune everything relative to that? Or do just need to develop an ear for how it should sound? I am pretty good at detecting the sound of a D note, so I coul start at that string and work from that.

jtdevan · Unread post by **jtdevan** » Mon May 12, 2003 3:55 pm

I actually just thought of something ... it probably doesn;t matter how out of tune the string is ... right? As long as I play the 7th fret harmonic on the top string, it will sound the way it should, despite how bad the string is out of tune.

DustyDave · Unread post by **DustyDave** » Mon May 12, 2003 3:56 pm

The above example is if you know how to tune the low E string openly .. Forgot to mention that , sorry :lol:

jtdevan · Unread post by **jtdevan** » Mon May 12, 2003 4:01 pm

that's cool man. So would the harmonic on the low e, seventh fret, sound the same if I was in perfect tuning and then if I was a little out of tune?

saleen · Unread post by **saleen** » Mon May 12, 2003 4:26 pm

no, harmonics change whether it is in tune or not, otherwise how could you use them to tune?

2scoops · Unread post by **2scoops** » Mon May 12, 2003 4:34 pm

I usually use both, can't say one way is really better than the other. Although I like the way using harmonics allows the strings to ring, you can take your left hand off the strings and tune accordingly. Suppose its just a matter of personal preference...

-2scoops

DustyDave · Unread post by **DustyDave** » Mon May 12, 2003 5:08 pm

2scoops wrote:I usually use both, can't say one way is really better than the other. Although I like the way using harmonics allows the strings to ring, you can take your left hand off the strings and tune accordingly. Suppose its just a matter of personal preference...

-2scoops

Yup like i said , i personally like the sound of harmonics when tuning , all methods of tuning is equally good if it gets in tune , but the harmonic way is easier in my opinion because you can tune accordingly as you said so yourself :lol:

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Tuning question

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