Hot answers tagged tuning
33
See the section on tuning systems on Wikipedia for some background.
In short, most intervals do not sound best on equally-tempered scales (where the distance between any two consecutive half steps is the same) but on ones where the notes vary in distance. For instance, fifths usually sound the most in tune when the frequencies are in a 2:3 ratio.
Because ...
33
I've seen it argued that the instrument that became the guitar started with the major G chord set, the second, third and fourth string, probably in pairs, as the entire string set for the instrument. The first string was then added, and the lower strings were added in fourths to provide more bass harmony, much the same way we see the 7th string being brought ...
31
The angle is there to improve the intonation. If you've ever set the intonation on an electric guitar with individually-adjustable saddles, you'd see that the bass strings are slightly longer than the treble strings. This is due to the gauge of the strings: heavier strings need to be slightly longer than lighter-gauge strings. The B-string anomaly that ...
25
Lots of reasons; the most prevalent reason is probably so that they can keep the tune within the range of their voice. Jimi Hendrix was famous for this; tuned a half step down.
Other reasons; to create a different atmosphere in the music; as in the case of Metal where instruments are down-tuned to create the darkest most aggressive sounding riffs ...
20
As you already suggested, it takes time. I would say that to begin to be a good piano tuner takes at least 3 years and you still have plenty of room to improve.
It helps to have a good and discerning ear, but you do not need what people imprecisely call perfect pitch. You will need a good reference tuning fork or pro electronic tuning reference. I prefer ...
20
It depends on the tuning system being used. If you're tuning by perfect intervals, i.e. intervals in which the ratios of the frequencies are in whole-number pairs, then Gb isn't exactly the same as F#.
For example, say you're tuning to A440 and using perfect intervals. Then the E above the A is tuned to 440 * 3/2 = 660 Hz. The B above the E is tuned to ...
20
An "open tuning" is one where the open strings, when strummed, are tuned to form a chord. So an "open D tuning" is going to something along the lines of (low to high) D A D F# A D -- that's a D major chord.
There are certainly more common open tunings than others but the range of open tunings available, even with a standard set of guitar strings on a ...
19
With traditional, barrel-style, Telecaster saddles the answer is: you can't. It's not possible and living with that imperfection is part of the Telecaster's ancient allure and charm. It's a grizzled old plank that barely stays in tune and you like to beat on to make beautiful music.
If it's really driving you nuts you can buy compensated saddles for ...
19
Whenever I come across a problem like this, I check the intonation. Tune up the guitar to perfect pitch (according to the tuner) and then, on each string, hit the 12th fret harmonic, listen, then play the 12th fret note. If there is any difference in the two, then your intonation is out, which will affect the ability to tune the guitar correctly, and mean ...
17
An additional point is that a guitar tuned a half/whole step down will be easier to play with higher action or larger gauge strings due to the less tension on the strings required to maintain the right pitch. I believe I have an interview with Stevie Ray Vaughn around here somewhere where he cites this, as well as many other reasons, as to why he played a ...
15
There are the tuning differences, as already mentioned.
Then there is the function difference. If you have an entire piece in D major, using the tones in D major, seeing a D♭ instead of a C♯ would be very awkward.
When writing music, the rules (simplified) are:
use the tones of the key currently in use (could be a different key than the main key, the ...
14
I would not be surprised to hear that singers are more commonly corrected in that direction, but it's certainly not impossible to be "a little sharp." A few reasons this might be perceived:
There is generally a correlation between tension and higher pitch, be it tension in the diaphragm or larynx or whatever; when people sing higher in pitch, they ...
14
Yes, you're right. As for why the harmonic series doesn't produce notes that work in all keys, the simple answer is that the math just doesn't add up.
Let's work out the math for just intonation: Suppose you choose X Hz for the fundamental frequency and go from there. Then the octave above the fundamental should have frequency 2 X Hz. Meanwhile, the ...
13
I'm not really a brass player, though I used to be a band director and have some idea about brass acoustics.
The issue with multiple-valve combinations being too sharp is that the valve system is a compromise. Pretend for a moment that you have a straight trumpet with no valves (so, pretty much a bugle). Of course, you can play pitches in the harmonic ...
12
All stringed instruments, to my knowledge, do this; the note starts out sharp, and stabilizes after a half-second or so. The lower the string is in pitch, the longer the effect lasts.
Pluck the string gently, not near the bridge (over the 12th fret is good, just stay away from the bridge), in order to get the most even tone possible, wait a hair, then ...
12
"Concert pitch" comes from how symphonies have learned to deal with tuning various instruments to a common pitch over the years. According to the ISO it's 440 Hertz, which is in the A above middle C range, but, over the years it's been as low as 415, and, even after standardization, is still considered to be in the 430 range in some symphonies. And, ...
12
This happens to me quite a lot, and I have put it down to the fact that I play my guitar in a number of different rooms in my house. The reason that this would have any effect is the room temperature.
If the guitar's surrounding atmosphere changes by even a couple of degrees, things can change. The metal strings expand or contract, depending on which ...
12
It's pretty common place to tune a piano lower as it gets older since that puts less mechanical force on the frame. However that should better be done by consulting the owner and then bite the bullet and tune it down a full half step (so you can still play with others by transposing).
15 cent close to the "just noticeable difference" or jnd but it can ...
11
I would encourage anyone who is interested to tune their own piano. My personal experience is... (I am an amateur in the true sense (Latin: "To Love"), have played piano for 8 years and probably tuned my own piano for 5 years (when I have time))
It probably took me about a week (off and on, I suppose about 6 hours) to completely retune my old piano from the ...
11
I would absolutely recommend it.
I can say from personal experience (on trombone, close enough) that I developed some very subtle bad habits from not practicing with a tuner for a very long time. It was a minute enough of a detail that most of my teachers just didn't notice, until one teacher pulled out his tuner to check his own ear--something just didn't ...
11
I was under the impression it was more historical than anything else, although Wikipedia tells me:
Standard tuning has evolved to provide a good compromise between simple fingering for many chords and the ability to play common scales with minimal left hand movement. Uniquely, the guitar's tuning allows for repeatable patterns, which also facilitates the ...
11
Tuning is almost as much an art as playing the guitar. You're trying to pull the strings to the point where most fretted chord combinations sound pleasant, even if they're not 100% true to their intended intervals.
First a note about tuning direction on the guitar. Your standard tuning machine uses a worm gear which has a nice property: it's extremely hard ...
10
Concert pitch basically means that the note A above middle C on a piano (which is the same as A on the 5th fret of the first string of a guitar) shall have a frequency of 440 hertz (Hz). So, tuning to concert pitch means that the entire guitar shall be tuned relative to an A with a frequency of 440 hertz. There are other tunings that utilize different bases ...
10
There can be a lot of these (others have already hit some of these):
Changes in temperature and humidity. As the wood moves, so does the tension on the neck and consequently the strings.
Nut sticking. If you have a rough nut then sometimes strings can get stuck, causing them to be out of tune. One way to fix this is to down tune the string half a step, ...
10
If you would like to get scientific about it, the D'Addario company has a chart discussing string tension and tuning and string gauges for alternate tuning schemes.
http://daddario.com/DAstringtensionguide.Page?ActiveID=2681
You can also download this PDF which explains the recommended tuning, pitches and tensions for every type and gauge of individual ...
9
Your strings have gained tension due to the change in temperature and humidity causing the wood of your guitar to expand and contract. Metal strings don't expand or contract enough to cause detectable tuning issues alone. The wood of your guitar, however, does. The truss rod does the best job it can for keeping your neck at the right angle relative to the ...
9
Usually the reason a capo pulls your guitar out of tune is because it has too much force relative to the height of your frets. If you have super high frets, or jumbos, then you can test this by fretting a string, picking a note, and then alternating how much pressure you apply to the fretted note. You should hear the note bend in pitch slightly unless your ...
8
The standard tuning of a Ukulele is a bit confusing because it is not strictly ascending.
This tuning is g4-c4-e4-a4, it means that the corresponding notes are G above middle C, middle C, E above middle C, A above middle C, from the string which is highest on the fretboard to the string which is closest to the ground.
It is easy to play it on the piano ...
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