Relative Tuning Techniques

Did you know you can still tune your guitar if you don't have a tuner? You can use a method called relative tuning, which will make your strings sound harmonious together, although you should only do this if your playing by yourself. There are two popular ways of tuning relatively.

5th Fret Method

The fifth fret method is great if you are playing by yourself, but it is a relative type of tuning. This means you won't be able to play with say, a piano in a harmonious manner unless you are exactly in tune.

• Place your finger on the 5th fret of the 6th string. Sound both the 6th and the 5th string together. Adjust the tuner of the 5th string accordingly until they sound the same.
• Place your finger on the 5th fret of the 5th string to Tune the D(4th string).
• Place your finger on the 5th fret of the 4th string to Tune the G(3rd string).
• Place your finger on the 4th fret of the 3rd string to Tune the B(2nd string). This is the only string at which you do not use the 5th fret.
• Place your finger on the 5th fret of the 2nd string to tune the E(1st string).

Notice that you do not tune the E(6th string) at all. If this string is out of tune, they all will be out of tune from what we know to be an E, A, D, G, and B. But, they will sound harmonious.

7th Fret Method

It is also a relative type of tuning, although they will be displaced precisely one octave.

• Place your finger on the 7th fret of the 1st string. Sound both the 1st and the 2nd string together. Adjust the tuner of the 2nd string accordingly until they sound the same.
• Place your finger on the 8th fret of the 2nd string to Tune the G(3rd string). This is the only string at which you do not use the 7th fret.
• Place your finger on the 7th fret of the 3rd string to Tune the D(4th string).
• Place your finger on the 7th fret of the 4th string to Tune the A(5th string).
• Place your finger on the 7th fret of the 5th string to tune the E(6th string).

This method tunes everything relative to the 1st string, or "High E."

Add to favorites

Categories: Featured | How To