Playing a perfectly tuned guitar is a crucial aspect of being a musician. Even the most skilled guitarist can’t produce a good sound if their instrument is out of tune. Using a guitar tuner is the most effective way to ensure that each string is correctly tuned. In this blog post, we will go through the basics of how to use a guitar tuner.
Types of Guitar Tuners:
Before we dive into the specifics of how to use a guitar tuner, it is important to know the different types of tuners available on the market.
Clip on guitar tuner – These are small, convenient tuners that clip onto the headstock of your guitar. They pick up the vibrations of the strings to determine the pitch.
Pedal tuners – These are larger tuners that sit on the floor and are commonly used by professional guitarists. They can be switched on and off with a footswitch and have a more accurate tuning compared to clip-on tuners.
Smartphone tuners – These are apps that can be downloaded onto your smartphone or tablet. They use the microphone on your device to pick up the sound of your guitar and determine the pitch.
How to Use a Guitar Tuner:
Now that you know the different types of tuners available, let’s go through the steps on how to use a guitar tuner.
- Step 1: Plug in your tuner or turn it on if it’s a clip-on or smartphone tuner.
- Step 2: Play an open string on your guitar.
- Step 3: Look at the tuner display. The needle or LED lights will indicate whether the string is too low, too high, or in tune.
- Step 4: If the string is out of tune, adjust the tuning peg until the needle or LED lights are in the center.
- Step 5: Repeat the process for each string until all strings are in tune.
Top 5 Clip on guitar tuners:
Here are the top 5 most popular guitar tuners on the market:
Snark SN5X Clip-On Tuner – This tuner is affordable and easy to use. It has a bright and colorful display that is easy to read, even in low light conditions.
Korg Pitchblack Advance Pedal Tuner – This tuner is a favorite among professional guitarists. It has a large display and can be calibrated to different tuning standards.
Peterson StroboClip HD Clip-On Tuner – This tuner is known for its accuracy and precision. It uses a strobe display that shows the slightest changes in pitch.
TC Electronic Polytune 3 Pedal Tuner – This tuner is unique in that it can tune all six strings simultaneously. It has a bright and easy-to-read display and can also be used as a buffer.
GuitarTuna – This smartphone app has over 100 million downloads and is free to use. It has a simple interface and can also be used to learn chords and scales.
In conclusion:
Using a guitar tuner is essential for any guitarist. It ensures that your instrument is in tune and produces the best possible sound. There are many types of guitar tuners available, from clip-on guitar tuners to smartphone apps. By following the simple steps outlined in this post, you can easily use any type of guitar tuner and keep your guitar in tune.
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Marko is a passionate composer, producer, and multimedia artist with a Master of Music degree. His career involves performing, creating, and producing his own music in his home studio using digital and analogue equipment. Marko is a multi-instrumentalist (he plays guitar, bass, piano, theremin, and other instruments). performs live acts and DJ sets, and works on feature and short films, documentaries, festivals, theaters, and government initiatives.
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