Q&A for How to Tune an Acoustic Guitar

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  • Question
    How do you intonate a guitar?
    Aaron Asghari
    Professional Guitarist & Instructor
    Aaron Asghari is a Professional Guitarist and the lead guitarist of The Ghost Next Door. He received his degree in Guitar Performance from the Guitar Institute of Technology program in Los Angeles. In addition to writing and performing with The Ghost Next Door, he founded Asghari Guitar Lessons, where he was the primary guitar instructor for many years.
    Professional Guitarist & Instructor
    Expert Answer
    Intonating the guitar requires adjusting the saddles at the bridge. Tune the string to pitch, then play the twelfth fret while checking the tuner to make sure the note is accurate. If the note is sharp, move the saddle backwards. If the note is flat, move the saddle forwards.
  • Question
    How do you tune an acoustic guitar without a tuner?
    Aaron Asghari
    Professional Guitarist & Instructor
    Aaron Asghari is a Professional Guitarist and the lead guitarist of The Ghost Next Door. He received his degree in Guitar Performance from the Guitar Institute of Technology program in Los Angeles. In addition to writing and performing with The Ghost Next Door, he founded Asghari Guitar Lessons, where he was the primary guitar instructor for many years.
    Professional Guitarist & Instructor
    Expert Answer
    You can always search "standard tuning examples" on a site like Google or Youtube. Then, listen to the guide track and tune the specified string until it matches the tone you hear.
  • Question
    How do I make sure my guitar is tuned right?
    Aaron Asghari
    Professional Guitarist & Instructor
    Aaron Asghari is a Professional Guitarist and the lead guitarist of The Ghost Next Door. He received his degree in Guitar Performance from the Guitar Institute of Technology program in Los Angeles. In addition to writing and performing with The Ghost Next Door, he founded Asghari Guitar Lessons, where he was the primary guitar instructor for many years.
    Professional Guitarist & Instructor
    Expert Answer
    One easy way is to check your intervals. You can do this by strumming a chord or playing a few different notes. For example, play a G chord to make sure the guitar sounds right. If the chord sounds off, double-check your tuning.
  • Question
    How do I learn to tune my guitar by ear?
    Aaron Asghari
    Professional Guitarist & Instructor
    Aaron Asghari is a Professional Guitarist and the lead guitarist of The Ghost Next Door. He received his degree in Guitar Performance from the Guitar Institute of Technology program in Los Angeles. In addition to writing and performing with The Ghost Next Door, he founded Asghari Guitar Lessons, where he was the primary guitar instructor for many years.
    Professional Guitarist & Instructor
    Expert Answer
    I suggest you listen carefully to the notes while using an electric tuner. Over time, you can train your ear to detect the correct tuning.
  • Question
    My 1E string is reading 2B, 4D, keep tightening?
    Community Answer
    No, the top (first) string should be tuned to E. The one below the top (second) should be tuned to B and the one two below the B string (fourth) should be tuned to D. You are perfectly in tune!
  • Question
    I have two identical Martins and would like to put nylon strings on one. Since classical strings require less tension, would it harm the guitar? What's the difference?
    Community Answer
    Non-classical guitars are meant to have tension on the necks at all times. This is the same reason why you change the strings out one at a time. The wood is tempered in such a way as to always have tension. Over time, if there is no tension on it, the wood of the neck will warp and potentially alter the sound of the instrument itself.
  • Question
    At what speed, or how should I tune my guitar to avoid my strings from breaking?
    Community Answer
    If the string that you are trying to tune is much lower than the correct tuning, slowly tighten the string. If you jerk the tuning pegs too fast the string may not have time to stretch and could possibly snap. The strings are made to last, and should not break unless they have been tightened too quickly or been tuned to a higher pitch than they should be.
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