Using a Pick
Hold the pick between your first finger and thumb as if you were holding a business card ready to give it to someone.
Keep the pointed part toward the guitar strings and have it sticking out just a little. Too far and it will get caught between the strings as you strum and you'll drop it.
More about frets
Each fret is spaced on the fingerboard in what we call half steps or a semi tone. Each fret is one half step away from another. So a whole step would be 2 frets.
We don't press on the fret but between them.
So if we place our first finger on the first fret, it would actually be just behind the bar or fret.
When we press on a fret it raises the sound or pitch ("notes") of the string by a half step as well.
Fingers: The fingers on your left hand are numbered for instructional purposes.
This hand is also referred to as the fretting hand.
The Left hand for the right handed player and the right hand for the left handed player.
Thumb = T
Index finger = 1st
middle finger = 2nd
ring finger = 3rd
pinky = 4th
Tuning Your Guitar
3 methods used to tune
A guitar can go out of tune for many reasons. Simply playing it will cause it to go out of tune. Other factors include the quality of the guitar or even temperature changes can cause a guitar to go out of tune. Newly Installed strings will go out of tune often until they stretch enough from being strummed.
Fortunately most decent guitars will hold their tune well as long as the keys don't get bumped or turned by accident. Unfortunately though, at some point all guitars will need a little fine re-tuning.
This process is really simple once you know what your doing but without a tuned guitar we really can not proceed.
So lets get tuned.
Using the tuning keys
Find the tuning key for your 6th string and slowly turn the key away from you (counter clockwise) while plucking the string lightly. You should hear the pitch go higher as you turn.
Now turn the key towards you (clockwise) and again turn it slowly while plucking the string gently. You should hear the pitch get lower.
One thing to note about the tuning keys. The direction you turn the key to raise or lower the pitch depends on how your guitar head stock has the tuning keys positioned.
If the tuning keys on your guitar head stock have 3 keys on top and 3 on the bottom, than the bottom 3 keys will be the opposite of the top. Clockwise will raise the pitch and counter clockwise will lower the pitch.
Now that you know which way to turn the key to raise or lower the pitch, lets try using one of the tuning methods.
Using an electronic tuner
An electric tuner will ensure perfect tuning. You should definitely purchase an electronic tuner if you don't have one already.
You can purchase one of these at your local store or online for about $20. See the resource section.
The video shows you how to do this if you need help.
If you do not have one yet, and you can't wait, then we need to get your guitar tuned the old fashion way.
Manual tuning
It's a good idea to learn this method because it will help you develop ear training and you won't have to always use the electronic tuner all the time. However, you can always come back to this later as it does require a bit more skill.
Since this method uses your ear skills, you may need some time to develop your ear training.
You may not get a perfect tuning but you can get it close enough.
Click to play the track. I will sound all the strings one at a time.
Your job is to match the sound of my string to yours.
This will require good listening. Some people have a natural ability for this while others will struggle with matching the tones.
First we'll start with the 6th string. The 6th string is also named Low E.
compare it to the sound of an "in tune" E string note and try to match the sound.
Listen to the note and decide if your string needs to be raised or lowered. Turn the key in the proper direction as we just learned above.
Now we'll do it for the rest of the strings.
5th fret method:
To use this method you must be familiar with frets, finger board and fingers as discussed in lesson 1 and 2 videos.
You should tune with an electric tuner for now and return here and learn this method after completing the 6 lessons.
This method assumes that your 6th string is already in proper tune or relatively tuned (close enough).
NOTE: If you happen to have a piano available you can press a low "E" note to get the proper pitch for your 6th string and then continue tuning the rest of the strings using the 5th fret method as explained below.
( The E note on a piano is always the white key right after the set of two black keys).
Basic explanation
We are using each string starting from the 6th string at the 5th fret, to tune the next open string below it.
Left hand position tip. Keep your thumb placed firm on the back of the neck like your trying to put your thumb print on it.. Don't let it lay flat.
Starting from the top "6th" string at the 5th fret.
Use your 3rd "ring finger" to press the 5th fret on the 6th "E" string.
Now pick the string gently.
Then while this note is still ringing, pick the next "5th" string.
This open 5th string should sound the same as the note you are playing on the 6th string 5th fret. They are both "A" notes.
If they do not sound the same, you will need to turn the tuning peg clockwise or counter clockwise as we learned above to match the sounds.
This is where your ear will have to be the judge.
Listen to notes and try to decide if the open 5th string sounds lower, higher or the same as the note you are playing on the 6th string at the 5th fret.
Using your left hand, find the tuning key for the 5th string and turn the peg slightly and slowly clockwise (toward you) to lower the pitch or counter clockwise (away from you) to raise it.
Reposition your left hand and 3rd finger on the 6th string at the 5th fret and play both notes again. Continue adjusting the key until it matches the sound of the note played on 6th string at the 5th fret.
OK, now we do the same thing for the next string.
Starting this time at the 5th string, use your 3rd finger at the 5th fret. This note should sound just like the open 4th string.
We do this for each string until we get to the 3rd string.
When we get to the 3rd string, in order to tune the next string under it ("2nd"), we have to press the 3rd string at the 4th fret.
Starting on the 3rd string 4th fret, we get the pitch we need to tune the 2nd string.
This is the only exception to the rule. All other strings are tuned from the 5th fret of the previous string.
After doing this a few times you'll get the hang of it and it will become much easier.
Hold the pick between your first finger and thumb as if you were holding a business card ready to give it to someone.
Keep the pointed part toward the guitar strings and have it sticking out just a little. Too far and it will get caught between the strings as you strum and you'll drop it.
More about frets
Each fret is spaced on the fingerboard in what we call half steps or a semi tone. Each fret is one half step away from another. So a whole step would be 2 frets.
We don't press on the fret but between them.
So if we place our first finger on the first fret, it would actually be just behind the bar or fret.
When we press on a fret it raises the sound or pitch ("notes") of the string by a half step as well.
Fingers: The fingers on your left hand are numbered for instructional purposes.
This hand is also referred to as the fretting hand.
The Left hand for the right handed player and the right hand for the left handed player.
Thumb = T
Index finger = 1st
middle finger = 2nd
ring finger = 3rd
pinky = 4th
Tuning Your Guitar
3 methods used to tune
A guitar can go out of tune for many reasons. Simply playing it will cause it to go out of tune. Other factors include the quality of the guitar or even temperature changes can cause a guitar to go out of tune. Newly Installed strings will go out of tune often until they stretch enough from being strummed.
Fortunately most decent guitars will hold their tune well as long as the keys don't get bumped or turned by accident. Unfortunately though, at some point all guitars will need a little fine re-tuning.
This process is really simple once you know what your doing but without a tuned guitar we really can not proceed.
So lets get tuned.
Using the tuning keys
Find the tuning key for your 6th string and slowly turn the key away from you (counter clockwise) while plucking the string lightly. You should hear the pitch go higher as you turn.
Now turn the key towards you (clockwise) and again turn it slowly while plucking the string gently. You should hear the pitch get lower.
One thing to note about the tuning keys. The direction you turn the key to raise or lower the pitch depends on how your guitar head stock has the tuning keys positioned.
If the tuning keys on your guitar head stock have 3 keys on top and 3 on the bottom, than the bottom 3 keys will be the opposite of the top. Clockwise will raise the pitch and counter clockwise will lower the pitch.
Now that you know which way to turn the key to raise or lower the pitch, lets try using one of the tuning methods.
Using an electronic tuner
An electric tuner will ensure perfect tuning. You should definitely purchase an electronic tuner if you don't have one already.
You can purchase one of these at your local store or online for about $20. See the resource section.
The video shows you how to do this if you need help.
If you do not have one yet, and you can't wait, then we need to get your guitar tuned the old fashion way.
Manual tuning
It's a good idea to learn this method because it will help you develop ear training and you won't have to always use the electronic tuner all the time. However, you can always come back to this later as it does require a bit more skill.
Since this method uses your ear skills, you may need some time to develop your ear training.
You may not get a perfect tuning but you can get it close enough.
Click to play the track. I will sound all the strings one at a time.
Your job is to match the sound of my string to yours.
This will require good listening. Some people have a natural ability for this while others will struggle with matching the tones.
First we'll start with the 6th string. The 6th string is also named Low E.
compare it to the sound of an "in tune" E string note and try to match the sound.
Listen to the note and decide if your string needs to be raised or lowered. Turn the key in the proper direction as we just learned above.
Now we'll do it for the rest of the strings.
5th fret method:
To use this method you must be familiar with frets, finger board and fingers as discussed in lesson 1 and 2 videos.
You should tune with an electric tuner for now and return here and learn this method after completing the 6 lessons.
This method assumes that your 6th string is already in proper tune or relatively tuned (close enough).
NOTE: If you happen to have a piano available you can press a low "E" note to get the proper pitch for your 6th string and then continue tuning the rest of the strings using the 5th fret method as explained below.
( The E note on a piano is always the white key right after the set of two black keys).
Basic explanation
We are using each string starting from the 6th string at the 5th fret, to tune the next open string below it.
Left hand position tip. Keep your thumb placed firm on the back of the neck like your trying to put your thumb print on it.. Don't let it lay flat.
Starting from the top "6th" string at the 5th fret.
Use your 3rd "ring finger" to press the 5th fret on the 6th "E" string.
Now pick the string gently.
Then while this note is still ringing, pick the next "5th" string.
This open 5th string should sound the same as the note you are playing on the 6th string 5th fret. They are both "A" notes.
If they do not sound the same, you will need to turn the tuning peg clockwise or counter clockwise as we learned above to match the sounds.
This is where your ear will have to be the judge.
Listen to notes and try to decide if the open 5th string sounds lower, higher or the same as the note you are playing on the 6th string at the 5th fret.
Using your left hand, find the tuning key for the 5th string and turn the peg slightly and slowly clockwise (toward you) to lower the pitch or counter clockwise (away from you) to raise it.
Reposition your left hand and 3rd finger on the 6th string at the 5th fret and play both notes again. Continue adjusting the key until it matches the sound of the note played on 6th string at the 5th fret.
OK, now we do the same thing for the next string.
Starting this time at the 5th string, use your 3rd finger at the 5th fret. This note should sound just like the open 4th string.
We do this for each string until we get to the 3rd string.
When we get to the 3rd string, in order to tune the next string under it ("2nd"), we have to press the 3rd string at the 4th fret.
Starting on the 3rd string 4th fret, we get the pitch we need to tune the 2nd string.
This is the only exception to the rule. All other strings are tuned from the 5th fret of the previous string.
After doing this a few times you'll get the hang of it and it will become much easier.
Lesson 2
Holding the Pick & Tuning
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Video: Holding the guitar, using a pick, frets.
Video: How to use an electronic tuner
Video: Tuning your guitar by ear.
