Tuning: pitch pipes, etc

Question:

>  Some people suggested to me that I should learn how to string > my own guitar (I haven’t done that yet, though).  If that’s the case, > then I should be able to tune the strings correctly myself, right?

I think you should learn to string your own guitar as its just that little bit more you can learn. Also, if you want to tune a guitar, unless you know you have "perfect pitch" (or even really good "relative pitch"), you really should use a tuner to get the guitar in tune. At least you know they’ll work (or darn well should). I’d go for the electric variety myself, but if you prefer the pipes and they work, then stick with them, or try using another instrument, like a piano/keyboard. I would say that you should learn and remember as many different methods of tuning a guitar as you can, since it is yet more knowledge and different techniques sometimes work better on different guitars. Your instructor, if s/he hasn’t already, should certainly _instruct_ you how to tune your guitar, both with a tuner and relatively (without). If they can’t, then get yourself a better instructor, or find another means of learning how, for instance, on the web or a from half-decent guitar instruction book. Try  www.harmony-central.com/Guitar/instruction.html for some good guitar links.

Response:

Hi there, I bought a small pitch pipe a couple of years ago, and it seems like it’s not working well anymore.  I’m wondering if pitch pipes eventually lose their "perfect pitch" capabilities, or perhaps the fact that I just changed my strings a couple of weeks ago might mean that I’m not used to the sounds my new strings are making. Also, at the point of being a beginner bordering on intermediate, is tuning something I should have an ear for already?  Is it something that I should ask my instructor to do for me, or should I be able to do it on my own?  Some people suggested to me that I should learn how to string my own guitar (I haven’t done that yet, though).  If that’s the case, then I should be able to tune the strings correctly myself, right?  The only problem is I don’t KNOW if I have an "ear" for it already, and I’m not sure HOW to determine if I do.  I’m also wondering if different methods of tuning depend on personal preference or if there is a "best" or"most appropriate" or "proper" way to tune.  (ie, is the pitch pipe a good way to go, or "should" I really be learning another method instead?) Thanks, Shira

Response:

If you got the cash – an electric tuner is a far better option while you get the hang of it. You may even prefer electric and stay with it for good. Pitch pipes are useful because they don’t need batteries. But the sounds made from a woodwind instrument (e.g: pitchpipe) have a very different quality to stringed instruments (guitar) so even though you tune to an identical note, your ears may insist they are different until they learn exactly what part of the sound to look for. Get electric. Tune with electric. Play with pitch pipe once you know your strings are tuned just to hear what it "should" sound like. You’ll get the hang of it. Lancer.

– Hide quoted text — Show quoted text -> Hi there, > I bought a small pitch pipe a couple of years ago, and it seems like > it’s not working well anymore.  I’m wondering if pitch pipes eventually > lose their "perfect pitch" capabilities, or perhaps the fact that I just > changed my strings a couple of weeks ago might mean that I’m not used to > the sounds my new strings are making. > Also, at the point of being a beginner bordering on intermediate, is > tuning something I should have an ear for already?  Is it something that > I should ask my instructor to do for me, or should I be able to do it on > my own?  Some people suggested to me that I should learn how to string > my own guitar (I haven’t done that yet, though).  If that’s the case, > then I should be able to tune the strings correctly myself, right?  The > only problem is I don’t KNOW if I have an "ear" for it already, and I’m > not sure HOW to determine if I do.  I’m also wondering if different > methods of tuning depend on personal preference or if there is a "best" > or"most appropriate" or "proper" way to tune.  (ie, is the pitch pipe a > good way to go, or "should" I really be learning another method > instead?) > Thanks, > Shira

Response:

Related Posts