The system of pitches used by an instrument or in a piece of music, or the practice of adjusting the pitches that instruments or voices produce to be in accordance with the chosen system.
5
votes
4answers
741 views
Do I have to tune my guitar everyday?
My guitar seems to be out of tune everyday.
Is it because of the bad quality of this guitar, or is this normal?
7
votes
4answers
4k views
Does using a capo put you out of tune?
i just want to ask if using a capo affects the tuning of the strings. I bought my first capo and I played my guitar with the capo on all day long. When I removed the capo, I played another song and it ...
9
votes
3answers
641 views
Is it harmful to use an electronic tuner to check intonation while practicing ?
Is it a bad habit to use an electronic tuner while practicing an instrument in which the notes are not fixed after tuning (e.g. violin, trombone)?
I'm asking because I've heard a lot of people say ...
14
votes
3answers
956 views
How to properly tune drum heads?
I would like to know if there are any tips on tuning drumheads; I keep hearing harmonics.
9
votes
1answer
362 views
Is playing an out-of-tune instrument damaging to the musical ear?
My piano is nearly 100 years old, and can no longer stay in tune. Repairing it would cost much more than the piano is worth, and I'm not ready to spring for a new one just yet. So for now I am stuck ...
23
votes
8answers
941 views
Software that allows playing in different temperaments
Do you know of any software out there that will allow me to play in different musical temperaments (e.g. Well temperament and Meantone temperament)? I'm especially interested in software that accepts ...
9
votes
1answer
258 views
Why choirs consistently go flat or sharp in certain keys
As a long-time chorister, I've always wondered what drives choirs to flat or sharp out of certain keys. For instance, the choir I sing with consistently fails to remain in the key of F, whereas ...
8
votes
1answer
181 views
What kind of edition and tuning to use to study Bach's fifth cello suite ?
As is well known, this suite was composed for a cello with a scordatura tuning C-G-d-g instead of the classical C-G-d-a.
I have seen almost every possible combination:
edition for specially-tuned ...
26
votes
3answers
1k views
How long would it take to learn to tune a piano?
I have a piano that is out of tune, and I know tuning pianos properly is complicated enough to have it's own profession. But I think it would be interesting to have a go myself, for fun.
But is this ...
33
votes
6answers
1k views
What's the difference between a G♭ and an F#?
I've heard it said that, whilst on most instruments these notes are played with the same fingerings/technique/etc there is a subtle difference.
This isn't specific to this particular note ...
0
votes
3answers
732 views
Ibanez Edge III Tremolo has 2 'Zero' points
You may have heard about my earlier Ibanez Edge-III tremolo woes (I'm finding out that the thing is as bad as it's made out to be by experienced players).
Now I've got a new one. I've found that the ...
3
votes
1answer
127 views
What would the guitar sound like if I used only strings of the same weight?
The thickness of the strings on a guitar are different. If I had the thickness of one type only, could I tune the guitar appropriately still? And how would it sound? Would it sound just bland? ...
3
votes
1answer
138 views
Guitar isn't playing in tune
I have a Segovia backpacker guitar (Segovia is a Korean company; the guitar was made in China). The problem is that it doesn't play in tune very well--especially if I play up the neck.
The strings ...
5
votes
4answers
225 views
new strings always relaxing. how do I speed up this process?
every time I replace guitar strings, the strings will always relaxing for a few hours to become stable.
how do I speed up this process?
4
votes
2answers
499 views
How does the angle of strings above the headstock affect tone and stability?
The situation:
I'm about to widen the slots in a new nut for a 12-string guitar. I'm using .015 strings (up from .011 or so), and tuning the guitar down significantly; my test-run with .014 strings ...
3
votes
4answers
537 views
Capo that won't detune my guitar?
I use a Kyser style capo. I don't know any better, but are there better capos? I'm looking for a durable capo that wont drastically put my guitar out of tune when I use it. What kind of capos won't ...
5
votes
3answers
497 views
Do floating bridge springs need changing ?
I have a 9 year old Ibanez RG250 with floating bridge. When I use the tremolo my guitar goes slightly out of tune, goes flat if I push down, and sharp if I pull up (I'm talking of course after I stop ...
48
votes
7answers
2k views
Why is the guitar tuned like it is?
Why is there that funny tuning kink between the G and B string on a guitar in standard tuning? I.e., the (musical) gap between the rest of the adjoining strings is 5 frets (or a perfect fourth), but ...
4
votes
1answer
573 views
Lap Steel Tuning for more “modern” music?
I have a six-string lap steel that so far I have kept in C6 (CEGACE). I like it because I can play major or minor on it, but the tuning is seemingly built for hawaiian and classic country work, and ...
4
votes
3answers
981 views
How does the Buzz Feiten tuning system work?
I understand the general idea of compensated nuts to produce more variance in the string lengths, and thus better intonation over a wider range of fretting positions, but the Buzz Feiten system I see ...
10
votes
7answers
647 views
How do I properly stretch my newly strung strings?
I came across this string stretcher device. It claims to properly and evenly stretch new strings and maintain tuning.
I never really made a point to properly stretch newly strung strings. Can anyone ...
4
votes
1answer
610 views
How do I tune a Ukulele 1 semi-tone higher?
How can I tune a Ukulele so it's one semi-tone higher? Can this be used for 2/3 semi-tones as well?
I've tried using a capo but it makes it a lot harder to play.
12
votes
4answers
783 views
My guitar goes out of tune at a higher pitch rather than lower, is that normal?
It is my understanding that strings, over time, stretch and are unable to maintain their tension, so they go out of tune at a lower pitch.
When I pick up my guitar and I tune it with my electronic ...
9
votes
2answers
302 views
What is an “open tuning”?
I know that Keith Richards has been known to use open tunings on some songs, but what is an open tuning exactly and when/why would you use it?
4
votes
3answers
974 views
Acoustic Guitar Intonation Adjustments
Simply put, how does one adjust it. I have a low-end acoustic where the intonation seems to be out by quite a bit and I'd like to adjust it.
It comes down to adjusting string size or length, so I ...
2
votes
1answer
413 views
Why is an adjustable bridge needed? [duplicate]
Possible Duplicate:
Why is my guitar's saddle at an angle?
I think my acoustic has a bridge that makes each string a slightly different length, and I'm assuming an adjustable bridge ...
17
votes
9answers
8k views
Why do some artists tune their guitars half a step or whole step down?
Is there a reason some guitarists tune down half or whole steps, other than preference or style?
It bugs me sometimes when I would like to play along with a song only to find that it's played down ...
12
votes
2answers
3k views
What is concert pitch?
I was watching a song video lesson earlier today and it mentioned that the guitar should be tuned to concert pitch. What does that mean? Is it different from the normal EADGBE tuning?
11
votes
5answers
3k views
How can I minimize going out of tune when using the whammy bar?
Perhaps my selection of musicians is biased, but usually when I see a whammy bar used, it's usually with a locking tremolo bridge like a Floyd Rose. Everybody else seems to take the whammy bar out and ...
6
votes
2answers
718 views
Kahler tremolo bridge problems - how to test and fix?
My Peavey Falcon -- a Strat clone -- has tuning problems. The instrument has a Kahler tremolo that I suspect is contributing to my tuning problems. (The roller nut and tuning machines are other ...
11
votes
5answers
2k views
How to accurately intonate a 3 saddle telecaster?
I have a traditional 3 saddle telecaster bridge. With two strings on each saddle my intonation is always a slight compromise. This is OK on the first four strings, but the bass strings are noticeably ...
6
votes
3answers
148 views
Does this guitar tuning have a name?
I've had a few suggestions as to an "official" name for this tuning, but what do you lot think?
From high e to bass...
e B F# C# G# D#
16
votes
2answers
1k views
Why is my guitar's saddle at an angle?
Most acoustic guitars I've seen, including my own, have an angled saddle (the white strip holding up the strings):
This makes the bass strings longer than the treble strings. Why is this?
...
14
votes
3answers
209 views
Poor quality guitars that don't tune
So since I got it at a discount price, I noticed this Yamaha I have won't tune properly. Specifically if I tune the strings to a perfect EADGBE (using a good digital tuner), then I cross check the ...
9
votes
4answers
1k views
How can I effectively secure guitar strings to the tuning pegs?
One of the bigger problems I face when restringing my guitars is properly securing the strings to the pegs.
How should I wind the strings around the pegs before tightening them to prevent the string ...
4
votes
2answers
73 views
Fretted notes sound 'off' when another string is bent
Sometimes when I'm playing, I'll bend a string and simultaneously play a fretted note. When I do this, the fretted note sounds slightly 'off' or out of tune.
What causes this and how can I prevent ...
4
votes
8answers
205 views
Using alternative tunings
Guitars are tuned E-A-D-G-B-E by standard, but I prefer tuning it down to C (C-F-Bb-Eb-G-C) since it gives a meatier sound and is easier on my fingers.
I know there are plenty of other tunings, but ...
9
votes
2answers
1k views
How should I tune a guitar with a Floyd Rose tremolo?
A number of my guitars have a Floyd Rose tremolo system with the locking nuts near the headstock.
How can I effectively tune a guitar that has a Floyd Rose locking tremolo?
4
votes
5answers
1k views
Why does my guitar go out of tune after I play it a while?
This might be an obvious question, but it would be good to know what factors cause guitars to go out of tune.
10
votes
9answers
4k views
Why is dropped D tuning used so often?
Many metal/rock songs use dropped D tuning. What reasons are there for it?
6
votes
11answers
225 views
How do you tune your guitar?
I'd like to hear about the different techniques of tuning a guitar with standard tuning, and why you use them.
