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Guitar tuning.

by Siobhan
(Scotland )

How do you know how to tune your guitar for a song such as Hey There Delilah?

Hi Siobhan,

Most songs/classical guitar pieces etc are tuned using "standard guitar tuning". This consists of having the "A" note on the 1st string (at the 5th fret) tuned to 440 hertz - standard the world over.

After you've managed this the other strings can be tuned accordingly as it will be in "concert pitch". For instance, when the first string has been tuned as mentioned it is then "E" on the open note. You then tune the second string to "B", the third string to "G", 4th string "D", 5th string "A" and the 6th string to "E" (two octaves below the first string.

Of course, if you get an electronic tuner or even use an online tuner you can get the readings and not have to worry about the theory at all. Or, to improve your ear you can tune the strings one against the other once you have that first "E" string at 440 hertz.

Many songs/ guitar pieces have alternate tunings but that's another story!

For more on guitar tuning go here...

I hope this was of help.

Kind regards,
Trevor M.

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Guitar tuning.

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oh yeah, also!
by: Q-Zinny

Most pop songs including hey there delilah are standard tuning. The basic (from 1st string to 6th string) E,B,G,D,A,E.

Metal songs are USUALLY standard tuning, some would use drop-D which is E,B,G,D,A,D. The lowest string which was meant to be E is now D, hence, drop-D.

And of course, there are songs which have different tunings, I'm a bit of a metalhead, and I know for a fact that opeth uses a...er...I don't know what you call it, but the tuning is D,A,F,D,A,D. Really different I know, but the song that comes out from it is just, beautiful...

One last note, if you're into songs like hey there delilah, stick to standard tuning. However, if you feel that the standard tuning doesn't seem to be the right one, I suggest you find the tabs in a website like www.ultimateguitar.com and look at what the tuning says.

Also, if the song has more than one tab, please look at all and compare, as one tab might suggest this tuning, and another tab with another tuning. If this happens, try both tabs and use your instincts to tell you which one seems more right/comfortable/pleasing to your hands placement on the fret blablabla you get the picture.

damn, I wanted to say one more thing but I forgot...nvm, hope this helps!

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