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→Quick Chords to Test Ear Tuning
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It is simple enough to tune each pair of strings by ear or each string via a tuner if we just want to get in the ballpark. Here I want to cover getting all the strings precisely in tune, which can be more daunting.
== Neck Flex ==
The amount of flex in your guitar's neck will affect its tuning. This not only depends on your setup (truss rod tension, string gauge, tuning, bear claw spring tension), but less controllable aspects like weather. This is moreso the case for the touring musician - changing climates from say Denver Albuquerque to New Orleans can cause wood to swell, etc. This is why it is important to play your gear on site and give it a setup adjustment several hours before the show, with a final tuning just before playing.
== Floating Bridges ==
== Tuning the G and B Strings ==
The G and B strings are generally tuned to a M3 interval; however, there is a large degree of variance between an [[Equal Temperament and Alternate Tunings|equal temperament M3 and a just intonation M3]]. The equal temperament M3 is sharp relative to the just M3. [[Equal_Temperament_and_Alternate_Tunings#EVH_Tuning|Tuning to the just M3 ]] can make chords that use an M3 across the strings sound very harmonious - this is how Eddie van Halen tunes up, at least when the song calls for it.
On the other hand, the equal temperament m3 is flat relative to just m3. If you play mostly chords that use an m3 across these strings, or even equal amount of both m3 and M3's, equal temperament will work better.
== Bending and Nut Issues ==
Sometimes, you'll notice that after you bend, your string's pitch is flat, even though you've thoroughly stretched out the string. The first thing to try is to draw in the nut 's string grooves with a graphite pencil, getting some of the graphite in there to lubricate the nut. What sometimes happens is the string won't easily move through the nut, but when you put the tension of a bend on it, it moves but doesn't return to its previous position. This more often happens if you are initially tuned sharp and try to loosen the string to reach the desired pitch. I find that tuning up to pitch works best. == Quick Chords to Test Ear Tuning ==The chords below consist completely of octaves and perfect fifths/fourths, quickly revealing if all the strings are tuned well. There should be no noticeable beating or wobble between notes - maybe a very slow, subtle swoosh if you're not too particular. o|-|-|-|-|-| ||-|-|-|-|p| ||-|-|-|-|p| ||-|-|-|-|p| ||-|-|-|r|-| ||-|i|-|-|-| ||-|i|-|-|-| ||-|i|-|-|-| ||-|i|-|-|-| o|-|-|-|-|-| o|-|-|-|-|-| o|-|-|-|-|-| {{top}}{{Gig Prep Crumbs|2}}
[[Category: Guitar]]