Guitar tuning. Guitar tuning programs Guitar tuning fork

Guitar tuner allows you to perform professional tuning of any string instrument on Android; its speed and accuracy will surprise many who want to try its functionality. Perfect for both beginner guitarists and musical professionals. To implement the functionality, the application uses the device's microphone.

Tuner Features

A large number of musicians are already using the guitar tuner. And this is not surprising.

Features and functions will please many:

  • The tuner is characterized by special accuracy and convenience for different types of guitars.
  • In the specifications, you can switch the program to a professional mode, which allows you to perform high-precision tuning of instruments for use by experienced musicians.
  • By changing the setup mode to functionality for beginners, you will get a convenient, intuitive interface that teachers recommend using.
  • The visual response is intuitive, while logs are maintained and the history of previous signals is recorded.
  • An automatic setup mode is available, which is very fast and does not require unnecessary clicks.

A little more about the program's capabilities

In addition to what is described, the Guitar Tuner has many more features. The metronome allows you to manually beat a rhythm using the monitor screen - while maintaining sound changes. The application has built-in games that allow you to learn the necessary chords and train not only your playing technique, but also your hearing. Moreover, the internal library has all possible diagrams of previously known chords.

There is a function for learning some songs and melodies. Four trumpet songs built into the program help test your skills in playing a stringed musical instrument. The sound recognition technology implemented in the application has received multiple awards. At the same time, the application developers are actively establishing feedback with their users, taking into account all advice and suggestions.

During instrument tuning, background noise is automatically muted, making it possible to perform tuning in any room. Serious specialists worked on the development of the application: software developers, professional musicians and sound engineers.

Why exactly this?

It will help beginners learn the basics of playing the guitar and at first can replace the teacher or supplement his lessons. For complete beginners, there is a training video that will help you understand the mechanism of the tuner and tune the guitar for the first time. In addition to all types of guitars, the program helps in tuning the following instruments: mandolin, banjo, viol, violin, balalaika, cello and any other strings. The application has additional features that are implemented on a paid basis. But all the basic settings work in the free version.

Have you decided to learn to play the guitar? Don't know how to set up your instrument? Download the Android application right now and get a lot of pleasure from using it. The guitar tuner is one of the best products in this direction; professional developers are constantly working to improve it. Install the application and learn to play instruments with pleasure!

An amerton is a device that reproduces a reference note from which all other sounds on the instrument are tuned. There are the following common types of tuning forks: metal, wind and electronic.

1.1. Metal tuning fork

The metal tuning fork came to us from time immemorial. It is reliable, accurate, durable, and just looks beautiful.

Most of these tuning forks produce the note “A” of the first octave, which corresponds to the sound of the 1st string (strings are counted from bottom to top, the first string is the thinnest), pressed at the 5th fret. The tuning fork is used in two modes: quiet and loud. Quiet mode is when you hold an oscillating tuning fork to your ear. And loud - when you touch it, say, to a piano or to the soundboard of a guitar. At the same time, the sound volume increases noticeably.

So, let's start tuning the guitar.

  1. Take the tuning fork from the side where it has one tip and hit it.
  2. Listen to the note.
  3. You need to tune the first string so that, when pressed at the 5th fret, it gives the same sound as a tuning fork - the note “A”. Rotate the peg carefully so as not to overtighten or break the string.
  4. Have you set it up? Now let's listen to the open (not pressed) 1st string. This is the note "E". We need the 2nd string, pressed at the 5th fret, to sound the same way - to the note “E”. Set it up. Please note that the note “E” on the 1st and 2nd strings does not sound exactly the same - there is a difference in timbre (sound color).
  5. Now by analogy. Tune the 3rd string so that at the 4th fret it sounds like an open 2nd string. This is the note "B".
  6. The 4th string at the 5th fret is like the 3rd open string (G note).
  7. The 5th string at the 5th fret is like the 4th open (note “D”).
  8. The 6th string at the 5th fret is like the 5th open (note “A”).

Unlike a metal one, a brass tuning fork produces 6 sounds of open strings. It's convenient, but there are significant drawbacks. Such tuning forks are short-lived and gradually lose accuracy due to oxidation of the reeds.

  1. Blow into the hole corresponding to any string;
  2. Tune this string.

Although the error does not accumulate, checking by intervals and chords will still allow you to tune the guitar more accurately.

1.3 Electronic tuning fork

It can produce many different sounds, the set of which differs depending on the model. The photo shows a Korg device that successfully combines a tuning fork and a metronome in one housing.

On most of these tuning forks, it is possible to calibrate the height of the reference note “A” of the first octave, relative to which the device tunes the remaining sounds. This can be useful if you play, say, with a piano tuned to 442 Hz (let me remind you that the reference frequency is 440 Hz). Here's how to tune the guitar:

String Name of note and octave Designation on the display (depending on the device model)
The device indicates octaves according to the Helmholtz system The device denotes octaves in scientific notation The device indicates the note and number of the guitar string
1 "E" of the first octave e1 E4 E1
2 "B" small octave b (possibly "h"*) B3 (possibly "H3"*) B2 (possibly "H2"*)
3 "Sol" of the small octave g G3 G3
4 "D" small octave d D3 D4
5 "A" of the major octave A (capital "A") A2 A5
6 "E" major octave E (capital "E") E2 E6

* - there is confusion associated with the designation of the note “B”. Part of the music world denotes it with the letter “B”, and part of the world denotes it with the letter “H”. Moreover, in the case of “H”, the B-flat note is designated as “B”. Most likely, your tuning fork will use the first designation, where "B" is "B".

Consider this point not only when tuning your guitar, but also when reading the alphanumeric chord symbols.

Another interesting point concerns which octave is on the guitar fretboard. You can often find information that the first open string is “E” of the second octave, and all the rest, respectively, belong to the first and small. This is an erroneous statement. It comes from the fact that guitar notes are written an octave higher than piano notes. I will dispel this statement. The first open string is “E” of the first octave, as written in the table.

1.4. Other tuning fork options

The role of a tuning fork can be played by a dial tone on a landline phone, the first note of a ringtone on a cell phone, or something else. Just use your imagination.

2. Piano tuning

Everything is simple here. A piano is the same as a tuning fork, you just need to know which key to press. The diagram shows which key corresponds to which open string.

How well the piano itself is tuned is another matter. Practice shows that usually not very well. In this case, you can take only one of the piano notes as a standard, and build all the others from it, as in the case of a metal tuning fork. It is important that the guitar strings build with each other first and then with the piano. If you tune your guitar for a synthesizer, then there will be no tuning problems (unless the synthesizer is in good technical condition).

3. Tuning your guitar using a tuner

A tuner is a device that responds to the sound of your instrument and helps you tune it. The display shows various useful information, for example:

  • Note name and octave;
  • String name;
  • Frequency of vibration of a note;
  • Recommendations for tightening or loosening the string;
  • Frequency of the reference note “A” of the first octave.

The most important characteristics for a tuner are the speed of the indicator’s response to the played sound and the step size of the indicator (the smaller the step, the more accurately you can tune the guitar). Tuners come in different designs and purposes. The following table describes the main varieties:

Tuner type Purpose pros Minuses
Clip-on tuner that attaches to the neck Acoustic concerts Aesthetic, lightweight, attach and forget Has moving parts that break down over time
Pedal for connecting to an effects chain Electric concerts with high volume levels Reacts only to a useful guitar signal, the noise in the hall does not interfere with it Cumbersome, only works via cord connection
A small rectangular device with AA or AAA batteries Home activities These tuners often have a built-in metronome, which is convenient for home practice. Not suitable for use at concerts
Tuner mobile application Home activities Free Not convenient for use at concerts, may ring

Now let's look at how to tune a guitar using the example of two tuners - mobile applications. The first of them is the most popular GuitarTuna. This tuner is designed specifically for guitarists, as evidenced by its guitar-style interface.

The application is able to automatically detect which string you are playing if the “auto” mode is turned on. It's enabled by default, but check it out.

  1. Play the first string.
  2. Look at the display. Make sure that the tuner recognizes the first string (the first string peg is illuminated). You will also see an indicator arrow sliding across the top of the screen and a green line extending from it. If the arrow and line are to the left of the center line, then the string needs to be slightly tightened. If it's on the right, loosen it. You need to ensure that the green line covers the central one*. You can figure out which way to turn the peg experimentally.
  3. Tune the first string and do the same with the 2nd, 3rd, etc.

* - The string does not sound mathematically even, so the arrow dangles a little to the right and left and it may not be possible to completely close the middle strip. Just try to close it as much as possible. The 5th and 6th strings are especially capricious in this regard. When setting them up, you need to wait until the green bar becomes more or less stable. You may have to wait a second or two. At first you will see a curve, as if drawing a mountain across the entire screen, but then the indicator will find a conditionally stable position (“conditionally stable” because the arrow still dangles back and forth, but with a small amplitude). Focus on this conditionally stable position.

The most common mistakes beginner guitarists make when tuning a guitar:

  • Turns the wrong peg
  • Plays the wrong string
  • Sets up in a place that is too noisy
  • I turned off the “auto” mode and forgot about it
  • Plays a note, immediately mutes it, and only then rotates the peg (the peg must be rotated while the note is sounding, observing in real time the behavior of the indicator arrow).

In the “auto” mode, the tuner determines the string by its pitch. That is, he hears that something close in frequency to the first string is now sounding and determines that this is the first string. If the guitar is very out of tune, then this method will not work. Then you need to set the string manually.

  1. Disable "auto" mode;
  2. Click on the image of the peg of the desired string, make sure that the peg is highlighted;
  3. Tune the string;
  4. Click on the image of the other string's peg and tune it. Similarly, tune the remaining strings.

It is important not to forget to switch the string by clicking on the peg icon. Otherwise, there is a risk of over-tightening and breaking the string.

Now let's try another tuner. It's called "DaTuner". It represents a different concept of tuners. There is no highly specialized guitar information on the display, such as “which peg to turn and which string we are currently tuning.” But there is the name of the note, octaves and sound frequency in hertz.

And now, using the table, we tune each string.

If you decide to purchase a clip-on tuner or something else, I still advise you to first practice with these two mobile applications. The point is that they are accurate and have a fast response. Using them, you will understand what a real tuner should be like and, when you come to the store, you will choose a high-quality device.

4. Conclusion

The tuner makes tuning your guitar much easier. In fact, it configures the tool for you. Some may say that using it is harmful, because it does not develop your own ear for music. But I will object. Quite the opposite: hearing develops as the guitarist develops a standard for the correct sound of the instrument and over time he gets used to how it should be, and he has the ability to accurately tune the guitar by ear. If he starts with a tuning fork, then it is not a fact that his tuning will be accurate. For some reason, some people think that tuning by ear is easy, but I have personally seen more than once how even musicians whose ear for music cannot be doubted cannot cope with this task.

Once you've mastered the tuning techniques presented in this article, it's time to deepen your understanding by reading my article, Professional Guitar Tuning. The fact is that although the tuner makes it possible to precisely tune open strings, this does not mean that your guitar will perfectly keep in tune, say, in harmonies of three sounds. For live performances, the tuner's accuracy is more than enough, but in the studio, more precision is required. This is especially important for an electric guitar with distortion, where the slightest inaccuracy in tuning leads to “beating” and “out of tuning” at fifths.

Kirill Pospelov was with you. If you have any questions about the article, write to me at

"Guitar Tuning" is an application that is already used by more than 20 million users. The utility, using the microphone of your mobile device, will detect sound even in noisy conditions, allowing you to configure the optimal sound.

Characteristics

The Guitar Tuning app is used by both beginners and professionals. With its help, users tune their electric and regular guitars, basses and ukuleles, mandolins and viols, balalaikas and banjos, cellos and violins, as well as many other stringed instruments, with different numbers of strings (including non-standard combinations).

The sound recognition technology has received honorable awards. Now, using a regular smartphone or tablet, you can accurately and without outside help tune your guitar.

Peculiarities

  • An accurate tuner that uses your mobile device's microphone to tune acoustic and electronic guitars.
  • Professional modes with maximum precision. Enabled in settings for advanced users.

  • Simple controls. Recommended for use by tutors and guitar teachers, due to its clear response and signal history, and, most importantly, a large number of automatic settings - without unnecessary clicks, string by string, super-fast, and so on).
  • Additional functions - metronome, chords, learning songs with tabs, alternative guitar tunings, etc.

Incorrect guitar tuning makes itself felt at the very first notes played. Not every musician can tune their instrument by ear, especially for beginners. Fortunately, there are quite a few software tools available to make this task easier. An example of one of these is Guitar Camerton.

The only task of this application is to directly tune the guitar. This action is performed by playing sounds corresponding to the notes of the standard tuning of a regular acoustic guitar. Based on these sounds, the user must tighten the strings so that they begin to produce the most similar notes.

Advantages

  • No installation required;
  • Intuitive interface;
  • Free distribution model;
  • Russian language support.

Flaws

  • Extremely low-quality digital sound, only vaguely reminiscent of the sound of a guitar.

Guitar Camerton is far from the best representative of such software due to the low quality of sound samples. In general, the application will help you tune your guitar correctly, but a much better solution would be to use other software or buy a real tuner.

There are several interesting guitar tuning programs to choose from. You can download them directly from our website!

The simplest interface, all you need to do to set up your guitar: - Connect a microphone or line input and select a string

Download software tuner

The program is designed for tuning a six-string guitar in standard tuning. Contains high-quality sound samples recorded on professional equipment. It is possible to play the sound again. Completely in Russian. There is no need to connect your guitar to your computer.

Download Guitar Tuning 5.0

The program is designed for tuning a six-string guitar "aurally" into standard order. The principle of operation is extremely simple: the program generates sound in the desired key for each string. Does not require installation or connection of the guitar to the computer. There is a sound volume control.


Download Guitar tuning fork

Program from the series "nothing extra". It performs its functions perfectly - connect a simple microphone to your computer, launch AP Guitar tuner, and in two minutes your guitar will be perfectly tuned.


The program has another hidden feature - it will help you choose chords for a song. To do this, launch it, turn on your favorite melody and bring the microphone to the speakers of your player. In real time you will see how the chords change. This will help you get your bearings.

The only drawback of this creation is its incompatibility with Windows 64 bit