Tips For Using An Electronic Tuner

Getting in tune and staying in tune.

Lots of people buy electronic tuners which look easy to use, but then they have trouble getting in tune. I've had students tune to the wrong notes, not be able to figure out which way to turn the tuning knobs, or my favorite "that's close enough." Here are some tips to help you get in tune.

• Know which notes your instrument is tuned to. Standard guitar tuning from the 6th string, (the thick one), to the 1st string: 6=E, 5=A, 4=D, 3=G, 2=B, 1=E

•  What kind of tuner do you have? Chromatic means it has all the notes on it. A guitar tuner has just the guitar notes. It's worth the slight extra cost to buy a chromatic tuner. Many guitarists use alternate tunings and/or tune lower than standard pitch. A chromatic tuner enables you to match these tunings.

•  What the symbols mean. A sharp, the one that looks like a pound sign # means the string needs to be tuned lower. A flat, the one that looks like a lower case b, means the string is too low and needs to be tuned higher. Pick the string so you can tell how much it changes when you make it higher or lower. The thicker the string, the less you have to turn the tuner to change it. By playing the string you can also be sure you're tuning the right one. A common mistake is to play one string and tune a different one, resulting in a broken string.

• How to get an accurate reading. There's a tiny microphone built into the front of the tuner, so you need to be fairly close to it with an acoustic guitar. Electric guitars can be plugged directly into the electronic tuner. For best results, pluck the string every few seconds so the tuner receives a steady signal. Sometimes an adjacent string will vibrate sympathetically, so if the needle bounces around, stop the other strings. I usually use my left hand to deaden the strings and the right hand to pick with.

• Clip on tuners. Tuners that clip on to the peghead work by vibrations. If the tuner doesn't respond just try moving it a little. Most of the time that fixes the problem.

• How often should you tune your guitar? I highly recommend that you tune each time you play the guitar. Weather can affect the tuning, and the strings do tend to stretch, so tuning each time you practice is a good habit to get into. This also makes it less likely that your guitar will be way out of tune.

By following the tips above you should have a much easier time keeping your guitar in tune.

What's It Worth To You To Learn Guitar?

How much is learning to play the guitar worth to you?

Beginning guitar students need to consider how much they're willing to spend to get started. There are decisions to made concerning what type of guitar to buy, accessories, music, and lessons. Here are some choices in the order of their importance.

Choosing an instrument. Do you like acoustic or electric guitar better? It used to be that everyone recommended that you start on an acoustic simply because it was lot cheaper. The price gap isn't there any more, so if you or your son or daughter prefer electric guitar there's really no good reason to start on an acoustic first. The electric guitar has thinner strings so in most cases it's a little easier to play. Acoustic guitars also offer nylon or steel strings. The nylon strings are not as hard to push down, the down side being that they're harder to keep in tune since they stretch more than steel strings. Most full sized nylon string guitars also have a wider neck since they're meant to be played with your fingers instead of a pick.

How much money are we talking about? You can expect to spend around $150 and up for a decent, playable instrument. Almost all manufacturers offer a package with everything you'll need including the guitar, a case or gig bag and if it's an electric guitar, an amplifier. Some also have picks, extra strings and an electronic tuner. While you can find cheaper guitars at a big box store, if you don't know anything about guitars you're best off spending a little more and getting one from a music store.

Cases. The choices are a gig bag, which is a soft, zippered case, a chipboard case, a fancy name for cardboard, and a hardshell case, the strongest and most protective of the 3. A beginner grade guitar probably doesn't need the most expensive case, but should you choose an upgraded model, don't skimp on the case.

Instruction. There is an abundance of material to choose from. Private lessons, books, CDs, DVDs, internet courses, You Tube videos and the list goes on. Your choice should depend on how you learn, your budget, and self discipline. Our teaching studio gets lots of calls from frustrated individuals who discover that it's not as easy to teach yourself as it seems. I like to point out to them that the problem is mainly that you can't ask a video a question, nor can the video correct bad habits that you may be developing. One more thing, YOU WON'T LEARN TO PLAY IN 7 DAYS, ONE WEEKEND, OR 30 DAYS! Muscle memory simply can't be developed in a short time. Yes, more practice will mean more progress, but be realistic about how long it's going to take.

Music stands, guitar stands, electronic tuners, etc. It never fails to amaze me when I have a student tell me they practice sitting on the bed, with the book alongside them, in the living room with the book on the floor, or my favorite, with music playing in the background! Buy yourself a music stand, get a chair with no arms, and set up a practice room where there will be a minimum of distractions. A guitar stand is nice since the guitar will be calling out to you "play me, play me." Get in the habit of tuning your guitar each time you practice. While it's nice to be able to tune by ear, electronic tuners have gotten so cheap that there's really no reason to not buy one. Pitch pipes, tuning forks and tuning by ear all work, but they each depend on your ability to match sounds. That's a skill that most beginning guitar students need to develop.

Set a budget, consider the priorities, and then get busy. How you get started isn't as important as getting started. Do some research, figure out how much you're willing to spend, and then dive in. Playing guitar is a skill you can enjoy for a lifetime.

Get Rid of Distractions

What's keeping you from focusing on your practice?

I've had students tell me they have the radio on in the background, they practice sitting on the bed with the music opened on the floor, on the couch with the music on the coffee table, geez Louise, how do you expect to get anywhere like that?  Let's look at some ways to improve your environment which in turn will improve your ability to focus.

The room itself.

For playing guitar you need: a quiet space, one free of tempting objects that will steal your attention. The practice room should have door you can close, a way to record yourself, a computer or mp3 player so you can listen to recordings of what you're learning, and most importantly a music stand.

Essential learning tools.

I've said it many times, but it still falls on deaf ears......practice with a metronome or drum machine. Music is made up of 3 elements, melody, harmony and RHYTHM.  I know it's hard, I know the metronome can be more annoying than fun, but it's going to take your playing to the next level. There isn't much worse than playing music with someone who can't count.

An electronic tuner is the second tool. You can buy a good, chromatic tuner for under $30, and it's money well spent. The last thing you want to do is get used to your guitar being out of tune. That's probably the second worse thing if you're playing with others.

Something to write with. Write down your goals, write down what you need to work on, write down how and what you've practiced. Mark places that need work, circle notes you keep playing wrong.

Picks, replacement strings, and a capo. Do you have pick handy? I have guitar students that are proud of themselves for having one pick. Go crazy, buy yourself a dozen the next time you're at a music store, they're cheap! Try different sizes, shapes and thicknesses. You just might be surprised at how different they can be. Do you have an extra set of strings? Guitar strings are also cheap. You can buy a set for $10-20, and it's a good idea to have some handy. Strings can break for any number of reasons including operator error, being too old, playing too hard, or sometimes just because they have a weak spot. A capo, the little device that goes across the strings and replaces the nut, is used by lots of guitarists in lots of different kinds of music. Listen to Hotel California or Here Comes the Sun to hear a couple of examples of guitars with capos on them.

Other handy items.

A computer can be used to find songs, record and play back  your practice sessions, and to do research. You can find lessons, videos, and much more, just be sure to use the computer for its intended purpose, not just to play games! One of the most valuable items we use in the Studio is software that can slow songs down. I use Riffmaster Pro, (affiliate link), which is easy to use and understand. The best feature is that you can create, slow down and save a loop. This enables you to go back and practice or try to figure out a section of a song.

Curing the Proverbial "Tin Ear"

Do you insist that you're tone deaf?

We hear it all the time. I can't carry a tune in a bucket, I'm tone deaf, believe me, you don't want to hear me sing. Here's some good news for you: your ear can be trained! The fact is, very few people are truly tone deaf, most of them have just never been trained. If your environment growing up didn't involve music, if no one in your family is "musical", then it can feel like you are tone deaf.

OK, how do I cure it you ask?

If you don't have an electronic tuner for your guitar, go get one now! The last thing you want to do is get used to your out of tune guitar sounding good to you. Practice tuning until the tuner agrees that your guitar is in tune. Now, pick out a song that you know by heart and try to pick it out on the guitar. Keep in mind that it has to be one you're completely familiar with. Happy Birthday, Jingle Bells, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star, something like that. Work on it until you're sure it's right, then play it for someone just to be sure. When you can do that, try to figure out a song that's a little more complex. Again, do it until you're sure it's right, then play it for someone.

Keep at it and try tuning by ear.

Now that you can pick out a melody, tune one string to the tuner, put the rest of the strings out of tune, then try to tune it by ear. Check it with the electronic tuner and then repeat. Do this a few minutes a day and before you know it, you'll have a much better ear for music.

Where Do You Practice?

Do you have a space set aside to practice in?

So, do you have a specific room or area where you practice? Please don't tell me it's in your unfinished, cold, damp basement! You do woodworking, you have a workshop, you do crafts, there's usually a room or area set aside, but you play guitar and you practice anywhere you can find room? If that describe you, it's time to reconsider your practice space. While it may not be practical to have a music room, it's certainly possible to set aside an area where you play your guitar.

Do you have a "musician's toolbox?"

I'm always amazed at how people will spend hundreds if not thousands of dollars on other hobbies, but when it comes to music they want to spend as little as possible. They practice wherever they can, don't have simple basics like a music stand, metronome or electronic tuner, and then wonder why they don't make more progress. There are so many resources available that it's never been easier to access the tools necessary to learn guitar. You can find online lessons, metronomes, practice aids, and information concerning playing, practicing and improving.

It's time to set aside a dedicated space to work on your music.

Here are the essential tools plus a lot of others that can help you progress at a reasonable rate. I've had students that spend minimal amounts of time, effort or money and then can't understand why they're not learning guitar as fast as they think they should. So here's the checklist with a brief explanation of each item:

• A quiet place to practice. Self explanatory. You need a space where you can concentrate on building your skills. I cringe when I hear someone tell me that they practice while there's a TV, or worse yet, music playing in the background. How in the world are you going to concentrate with that going on around you?
• A computer connected to the internet. While it's not absolutely necessary, there is so much good information out there, I can't imagine not having a way to gather it. Just Google what you're interested in and it's out there somewhere.
• Electronic tuner, metronome and music stand. Even if you buy the orchestra style stand, a wooden metronome with a clock movement and a strobe tuner you're not looking at more than $150-200. Buy an electronic, compact tuner and metronome and a wire music stand, we're talking under $100. 
• Instruction books, CDs and DVDs. There are thousands of resources out there for every imaginable style. No matter what type of music you like, whether you play acoustic guitar, electric guitar, 12-string guitar, any combination, there's a wealth of material. If you have a guitar teacher he or she will be happy to incorporate these materials into your lessons.

• A way to record yourself. Almost any computer is capable of letting you record yourself playing. This is such a valuable tool I can't over emphasize it. Make a recording and be prepared to be shocked! Remember, the recording is exactly what you sound like, it doesn't lie. You'll hear string squeaks, timing errors, a slightly muffled note, a lot of things you don't notice while practicing.

So the next time you get ready to practice, think about setting up a practice room, even if it's only a small section of a bigger room. Give yourself the advantage of having a quiet, comfortable place to practice. You'll be glad you did!

Action, Intonation, Neck Relief? What's That?

Do guitar teachers and salesmen talk in a foreign language?

When you're looking at guitars you will hear the term action, which simply means how far the strings are away from the fretboard, and how hard you have to push to make a note or chord. If you're just starting out, it's a good idea to bring along someone who can play guitar so they can judge its playability. A cheap guitar will usually have high action and that means the beginning guitar player will have an unusually hard time playing it.

Intonation has to do with the guitar playing in tune up and down the neck

The easiest way to check intonation is to play a string with no fingers on it, (open), and then play it at the 12th fret. If you have an electronic tuner the open note and the 12th fret note should both be in tune. Most stringed instruments are adjustable, so the intonation can usually be corrected. Again, bringing along someone that plays can be helpful.

Neck Relief

Many times you'll see someone sight down the fretboard as though they were aiming a rifle. What they're doing is checking to see if there's a bow in the neck. There should be a slight amount of curve in the neck, but if it's extreme it means the neck is out of adjustment. Almost all fretted instruments have a truss rod which can bring the neck back into alignment. The truss rod is a steel rod that runs through the length of the neck and is adjusted with an allen wrench. A warped or severely warped neck should be avoided.

Practical Advice

So if you're a beginning guitar player, remember that you get what you pay for. I get calls all the time from people that want to know if they should buy a used guitar, and the answer is always "only if you know what you're doing." It's possible to get a great deal on an instrument, but it's also possible to waste a good chunk of money. The best advice is to buy from a music store and to make sure that you can return the guitar if it's defective. Most music stores will adjust and set up the guitar before they sell it to ensure that the customer is happy.

Using Your Electronic Tuner

Do you make these mistakes when using your electronic tuner?

Playing the string too rapidly. If you play the note and keep playing it very quickly, a lot of tuners have trouble picking up the note. By striking it once every one or two seconds it gives the tuner a steady signal.

Playing the string too slowly. After you pick a string, the note goes flat as the sound decays. If your tuner has a needle and it drops, you've let the note sound for too long. Same thing if your tuner has flashing lights.

Not getting close enough to the microphone. All tuners have a small built in microphone and it will pick up outside noises. If there's a tv or radio on,  if there's music in the background or even someone talking, it can give a false reading. I usually put the tuner close to the instrument to help block out noises.

Tuning to the wrong note. I know, the tuner tells you what note you're playing and it should be obvious. Be sure that the note you're tuning to matches the one the tuner says you're playing. Sometimes the sharp or flat symbol isn't very big and you can tune to the wrong note.

 Not tuning to concert pitch. In our tonal system we tune to A440, which means the note A vibrates at 440 vibrations per second. A lot of tuners can be adjusted up or down so you can match another instrument that may not be easily retuned. Some tuners also feature the ability to tune down 1/2 step or more, so make sure the settings are correct. While most tuners go back to the default setting if you turn them off then back on, some retain the last settings used.

Getting false readings from overtones. When you play a note, it creates a series of overtones. This means that other strings may vibrate sympathetically with that string. This causes the tuner to have difficulty picking out the correct note. The way to prevent that is to deaden all but the string you're trying to tune.

If you'll follow these steps you should have no trouble getting and keeping your guitar in tune. One more thing, a sharp # reading means the note's too high, a flat b means the note's too low. When tuning keep in mind that the thicker the string, the less you have to turn the tuner to make it higher or lower.