Mircea Gogoncea - On Tuning

“Guitar tuning is never perfect … You will never sound 100% in

tune, but you can strive to!” - Mircea Gogoncea

Outline
1. Introduction

2. Equal temperament

3. Using a tuner

4. Harmonics

5. Octaves, thirds, and fifths

6. What does being out of tune sound like?

7. What chords should be used for tuning?

8. Tuning methods for each skill level

1. Beginner

2. Intermediate

3. Advanced

9. Additional tuning techniques

1. Cutting resonances

2. String settling

3. “Drop D” strategy

10. Tuning while you’re playing

11. Tuning with other instruments and A=442

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12. Pressing issues

1. Playing from the left vs. the right

2. Example: Serenata Española (Joaquin Malats)

3. Fingerings in the upper register

13. Conclusion

Introduction
Tuning is a basic and important part of playing the guitar that should not be
overlooked. There are different methods of tuning, each with advantages and
disadvantages.

Equal temperament
The common tuning system today is equal temperament which is used for guitar,
piano, and harp. Equal temperament has intervals that are different than natural or
pure intervals, which are on untempered instruments. The advantage of equal
temperament is that you can play a large variety of repertoire with many different
chords and still sound in tune.

Using a tuner
You are able to achieve the same results by using a tuner as you would by following
the instructions of this lesson. However, it is important to be able to tune without a
tuner because sometimes you have to tune to other instruments or tune in the
middle of the piece.

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Harmonics
On the guitar, harmonics are always natural intervals, which often differ from equal
temperament.

Octaves, thirds, and fifths

Natural octaves are the same as octaves in equal temperament. Natural major
thirds are lower than major thirds in equal temperament. Natural perfect fifths are
higher than perfect fifths in equal temperament.

What does being out of tune sound like?

Try tuning the open first string to the fifth fret of the second string. If the two strings
are not in tune with each other, you will hear a “wah-wah” sound, or an
“interference” between the pitches. As the two strings become more in tune, the
speed of the “wah-wah” gets slower, until finally disappearing: when this happens,
the two strings are in tune with each other.

What chords should be used for tuning?

When checking all six strings together, you should not use major or minor chords
because they include thirds. If you tune the thirds perfectly, then your guitar will
note be in equal temperament: while one chord will sound great, other chords will
sound bad.

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If you use a chord with only octaves, fourths and fifths, you will get much closer to
equal temperament tuning. The two chords are good examples for “Drop-
D” (DADADA) and E-tuning (EBEBBE).

Tuning methods for each skill level

Beginner
1. Buy a tuner!

Intermediate
1. Make sure your sixth string is in tune.
2. Compare E’s using the harmonic on fifth fret of sixth string to the open first
string E.
3. Compare the fifth harmonic of the sixth string with seventh harmonic on the
fifth string (same pitch).
4. Continue comparing the fifth harmonic of the tuned string to the seventh
harmonic on the next string, until you reach the first string.
5. After making the notes in tune, slightly lower the string they just tuned to get
closer to equal temperament (natural fifths from the seventh harmonic are too
sharp for equal temperament).

Advantages: By playing harmonics, the note sustains while you tune. This is also a
very fast method of tuning.

Disadvantage: Harmonics on the seventh fret are too sharp for equal temperament.

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Advanced
1. Make sure your sixth string is in tune.
2. Compare E’s using the harmonic on fifth fret of sixth string to the open first
string E.
3. Play the fifth fret of the sixth string with the finger down. Compare this note with
the open fifth string (same pitch).
4. Do the same for the fifth to fourth string.
5. Check the 12th harmonic on the sixth string to the second fret on the fourth
string
6. Repeat #3 for the fourth to third string.
7. Use artificial harmonic (G) on sixth string to check the third string.
8. Repeat #3 for the third to second string (for the third string, press the fourth
fret).
9. Use artificial harmonic (B) on fifth string to check the second string.
10. Repeat #3 for second to first string.

Advantage: Using the fretted pitches is closer to equal temperament than using
the seventh fret harmonic (see simple method).

Disadvantage: You have to take your hand off of the note to tune the string and
remember how much you need to adjust the pitch (harder if you are just starting
out).

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Additional tuning techniques

Cutting resonances
When you are tuning two string, cut the resonance of the other four strings with
your right hand. The resonance of the other strings can interfere with the tuning
process.

String settling
Strings tend to “settle” back to the pitch that they were at before tuning. This is
why it is important to double-check if the strings are in tune during the overall
process.

“Drop D” strategy
When playing in Drop D, you have to give the sixth string enough time to settle. As a
strategy, turn the tuning peg down six times, then up 3. This will make the sixth
string slightly lower than a D. Then, tune it up to match the 12 fret harmonic of the
fourth string.

Tuning while you’re playing

The easiest time to tune is between movements of a piece. In the middle of a
movement, sometimes a string goes out of tune. It is risky to try to tune while
playing, but if you do, keep the left hand held on the notes that are sounding, and
use the right hand to change the string that is wrong.

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Tuning with other instruments and A=442
When playing with a piano, if they give you an A, tune this to the A string, 5th fret
harmonic. You can also ask for an E. Guitarists are used to tuning to A=440, but it is
important to ask what frequency the other other instruments are tuned to if you
are playing chamber music.

Today, many orchestras are tuned to A=442, or even A=443. If playing a concerto
with an orchestra, ask them in advance what pitch they use, and then tune your
guitar well in advance so that your guitar gets used to the new pitch.

Left hand effect on intonation

The left hand massively effects intonation, and when you play in the higher
register, small changes in finger pressure make a big difference in intonation. It is
important to keep the knuckle to the left of the fret you are pressing to keep in tune,
because if coming from the centre or right, the note will be sharp.

In an excerpt from Serenata Española by Joaquín Malats, it is useful to cut the

high G in the melody early (held by the pinky). If the high G were held its full length,
it would go out of tune when the index finger reaches for a bass note: the stretch of
the hand will make the note go sharp, so it is preferable to stop the note from
ringing before the intonation gets worse.

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Fingerings in the upper register
Very often, it is the fingers making the pitches out of tune, not the tuning of the
open strings. It is important to “play from the right” for fingerings in the upper
register to have good intonation. Recording yourself playing in the upper register of
the guitar is a great way to hear when you go out of tune because of your left hand.

Conclusion
Guitar tuning is never perfect: even if your strings are 100% in tune, your fingers
are still human. But, you can still strive for better intonation through the way you
hold your hands, and by understanding how equal temperament differs from the
natural harmonics of the guitar. Overall, work with all the tools you have in tuning to
make the music sound as beautiful as you can.

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