Why Does Tuning a Guitar Sometimes Cause It to Go Out of Tune

When playing the guitar, tuning your instrument is a crucial part of the process. Achieving consonance or harmony between the strings when forming chords or playing melodies is essential to producing pleasant sounds. However, it's a common observation that guitars can go out of tune even after they have been recently tuned. This article aims to explore the reasons behind this phenomenon and provide tips for maintaining your guitar's tuning.

Tuning and Its Importance

Tuning is the act of adjusting the pitch of each string to the desired frequency. Proper tuning ensures that the guitar sounds pleasant, with each string producing the correct note when played. Without correct tuning, your playing will sound off-key, making the experience less enjoyable for both you and your audience.

Factors That Cause a Guitar to Go Out of Tune

Several factors can cause a guitar to go out of tune, even after it has been recently tuned. These factors include:

Atmospheric Changes: Changes in temperature, barometric pressure, and humidity can cause the strings and guitar components to expand and contract. This alteration in dimensions leads to a change in pitch, making the guitar out of tune. Environmental Changes: Moving the guitar from one room to another, or transporting it inside and outside, can affect its tuning due to the difference in temperature and humidity between environments. Playtime Influence: Even when you're just playing, the act of squeezing the strings can affect their tension, causing them to lose their tuning. Tuning one string can also impact the tension of the others, leading to an out-of-tune guitar.

Normal Occurrences of a Tuned Guitar Going Out of Tune

It's quite normal to find a guitar out of tune the next day, especially if it has been tuned. Other factors such as the warmth of your hands on the guitar, playing the guitar, or simply moving it can cause it to go out of tune. Contrary to what some might believe, a guitar cannot be perfectly tuned. Small changes in tension due to atmospheric conditions or physical interaction can always cause some degree of tuning drift.

How to Tune Your Guitar

There are several methods to tune your guitar, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. Here are some popular techniques:

1. Clip-On Tuner

A clip-on tuner is a convenient tool that clips onto the headstock of your guitar. It detects the note a string is producing when you pluck it and displays the result on a screen. This method is quick and accurate, making it a favorite among many guitarists.

2. Cell Phone App Tuner

Using a cell phone app tuner can be handy, but it may not be as stable as a clip-on tuner. These apps hear the guitar through the cell phone's microphone, making them less reliable due to background noise and varying microphone quality.

3. Tune to a Keyboard

Using a keyboard to tune the guitar is a traditional method. By playing the E, A, D, G, B, and E notes on the keyboard and comparing them to the corresponding guitar strings, you can adjust your guitar's tuning.

4. Tuning Fork

A tuning fork can be used to produce a single pitch. By tuning the sixth string (E) to the fork's pitch and then using that as a reference to tune the remaining strings, you can achieve a fairly accurate tuning.

5. Tune to Another Guitar

If another guitar is tuned and ready to play, you can tune your guitar to its strings. Start with the sixth string and then match each subsequent lower string to the corresponding string on the other guitar.

6. DAW or Tuner Within a DAW

Software like GarageBand has built-in tuners that can provide very accurate tuning readings. These tuners are highly sensitive and can accurately detect minor pitch variations.

Maintaining Your Guitar's Tuning

Here are some additional tips to help maintain your guitar's tuning:

Environment: Minimize exposure to extreme temperature and humidity changes. Allow the guitar to acclimate to a new environment for a short period before playing it, to reduce the chances of it going out of tune. String Arrangement: If you notice that certain strings are going out of tune more frequently, you might want to arrange your strings in a way that minimizes their tension. For example, use a lower gauge on the more susceptible strings. Prevent Over-tightening: Be mindful not to over-tighten the strings, as this can cause more tension and potentially break the strings. Tune in intervals, tightening one string and checking the overall tuning before moving to the next. Regular Checks: Check and adjust your guitar's tuning regularly, especially before and during your practice sessions. Consistent checking will help you catch small tuning drifts early.

Conclusion

In conclusion, tuning a guitar is an essential practice, but it doesn't guarantee perfect stability. Atmospheric changes, environmental factors, and even the act of playing can affect your guitar's tuning. By understanding these factors and employing appropriate tuning methods, you can significantly improve the consistency of your guitar's tuning and enjoy a more rewarding playing experience.