PlayJazzGuitar.com Forum

[JakeJew]

I've become a real stickler for pitch lately.

Guitars will never really be in tune...what is "in tune" anyway?

Anyway, the 5th fret thing isn't that accurate if you have even slight intonation problems. Harmonics are great until you get to the B string. I have various methods I've tried and learned in order to just try to get things as close as possible, but I've never been sold on one thing.

So...any thoughts?
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"Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconciousness - I wouldn't know. But I am sure that it is the antithesis of self-consciousness." - Aaron Copland

[randalljazz]

5th string to a fork. other strings to that string, mostly around the 5-7 frets:

4th string 7fret harm to 5th string 5fret harmonic.

3rd string 2fret 'A' to open 5th string, check against 5th pos 'D' octaves--pick one or split the difference.

2nd string 'E' to 5th string 'E'. (5th pos)

1st string open to 5th string 7fret harm. check 'A' octaves w/4th string.

6th string 5fret harm to 5th string 7fret harm. check 'E' octaves w/4th string.

[Generic Sobriquet]

I usually do some variation on this: http://www.stagepass.com/tuning.html

Seems like I've posted this before.
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lll
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[JakeJew]

Great stuff, thanks guys. I'll give these methods a whirl and check for accuracy.
_________________
"Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconciousness - I wouldn't know. But I am sure that it is the antithesis of self-consciousness." - Aaron Copland

[Gorecki]

[planetguy]

[JakeJew]

[M]

[JakeJew]

I guess the real solution is probably to learn to perfectly hear equal temperament 4ths and 3rds.
_________________
"Inspiration may be a form of superconsciousness, or perhaps of subconciousness - I wouldn't know. But I am sure that it is the antithesis of self-consciousness." - Aaron Copland

[wynnphillips]

Not sure where I read this but it seems good: (= means unison)

A string - Tune the a string to a tuning fork or othere reference pitch.

D string - 12th fret harmonic on A = 7th fret fretted on D string

G string - 12th fret harmonic on A = 2nd fret fretted on g string

Bottom E - 12th fret harmonic on bottom E = 7th fret fretted on A string

Top E - 7th fret fretted on A = top E string open (or 12th fret harmonic on bottom E = open top E)

B string - 12th fret harmonic on D string = 3rd fret on B string.

[M]

[JakeJew]

[dewey decibel]

When I tune by ear I usually do so in 4ths (up). I seem to hear 4ths better than 5ths. I'll start with a G (as I can usually hear a pretty solid G in my head) and move around in 4ths, double checking with octaves.

[steve]

I tend to use the fretted note comparison to check my tuning these days.

I used to use harmonics but realised that the majority of my playing is on fretted notes not open strings, and so if I can get the area around the 4 - 9 fret in tune (using octaves, or 4ths, or even whatever) then I would have an instrument that shared out the imperfections (across the neck) as best I could for my type of playing.

I often use an electronic tuner, then play some bog standard major bar chords around the 7th fret and fine tune the strings that sound out by ear.

Does anyone else get calusses on their lobes?
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Miles is the answer.

[Generic Sobriquet]