Check Tuning

Even if you used a tuner, you should check the
5th fret harmonic of E (sixth string) against the 7th
fret harmonic of the A string, which should be a
smooth unison sound (no waves or dips in the sustain
of the two notes). Then check the 5th fret harmonic
of A against the 7th fret of the D string, etc. Another
method of checking tuning by harmonics uses
octaves: the 12th fret harmonic of the E string with
the 7th fret harmonic on A, etc. Again, both systems
break down between the G and B, but if your ear is a
little more advanced, you can check the tuning by
striking the major third interval that exists between
the 12th-fret harmonics of the open G and B strings,
again checking for a nice, smooth sustain.
Always double-check tuning by playing the four
chord forms shown in Ex. 1-4, listening for nice,
smooth sympathetic vibrations between all the roots
and fifths and open
strings. Don’t forget
that the guitar is an
instrument of
EQUAL
TEMPERAMENT,
and therefore needs
to be “settled” so that
the strings will sound
good in different
chords from different
keys. Technically, the
pure physics of sound
waves and the harmonic overtone series, dictates that the open B string, for
example, would actually be a slightly different note when
functioning in different keys. As the tonic in the key of B
(5 sharps), for example, it would actually be pitched fractionally
different than it would as the leading tone major 7th in the key
of C, and would be much different again when functioning as,
say, a C b when it’s the flat seventh in the key of Db.

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