How to tune guitar by ear
Many guitarists are horrified at the thought of trying to tune their guitar without the use of an electronic tuner.
After all, they went pro for two reasons: to get hot dates and to hire a guitar tech.
But not only can tuning a guitar by ear improve playing, it can help on the occasion when a string goes out in midsong. With a little practice, it's a great skill not just for tuning a guitar but for tuning ears.
Something to Tune to
First, find something to tune to -- a piano, keyboard, pitchpipe, tuning fork, or even a harmonica.
For a standard tuning in E major, start with the A string and strike an A note below middle C on the keyboard, or blow an A note on the pitch pipe. With a diatonic harmonica in A major, blow into the 4th hole.
Pluck the open A string and listen c...