Post by BMzxxHi,
I put new strings on my acoustic guitar and cant get the G string tuned.
I'm using an Intellitouch PT10 tuner. I keep loosening and tightening the
string and cant find G at all. Also, when I put the low E string on i
tuned it to "E" but the string seemed pretty loose. I made it tighter while
plucking the string and went thru notes until I came to another E note?
Should I make all the strings fairly tight then tune it? still, shat
about finding G
thanks
Beginner Bob
The problems you mention are all too common for the novice player. What you
don't quite understand yet, I think, are "octaves." There are many E's and
G's on a music staff. When you play scales on your guitar you will start
with the "low" E and eventually get to the first string, or high E. That
would be an octave. If you keep climbing up that string you will get to the
next octave -- yet another E at the 12th fret. Most electronic tuners don't
care which E you are tuned to as long as it's an E.
As others have said, if you have a friend who plays guitar that would help.
You can also use the Web tuner recommended by others here or just take the
guitar to your local music store. I'm sure they will be happy to tune it
for you for free. Once tuned it will be easy for you to keep it in tune
using your tuner, and after a little bit of playing you will quickly learn
what the string tension feels like on each string and what they each sound
like. Next time you change strings do it one at a time and bring each
string to pitch before changing the next. That will make it a lot easier.
Also, keep in mind that strings stretch, especially when brand new. When
you put new strings on a guitar and tune them they will quickly go out of
tune and you will have to retune several times to get it right. Also,
tuning one string will affect the rest, especially with brand new strings.
This situation is much worse with nylon strings but settles down quickly.
I don't know why, but the G string is always problematic so your post
doesn't surprise me. Eventually you will learn to "lock" the strings on the
post so they don't slip, which is another common problem with beginners.
There are a lot of Web sites that show you how to do this.
Another problem I've seen is where the strings go into the saddle. The ball
end of the string must be pulled up tight against the bridge pins and
bridge -- inside the guitar. If that ball or ferrule gets hung up inside
the guitar it may slip as you are tuning and that can make your tuning very
erratic.
Anyway, you'll figure it out, and have fun playing.