| If you already play the guitar and know how to tune it, | | | | keyboard, and will eventually vanish. Repeat this |
| why do you need a special tutorial for learning how to | | | | process for your A, D and G strings. |
| tune a bass guitar? The answer is in the sound of the | | | | Another tuning method you need to learn is to get the |
| bass guitar. It is so low it is very difficult for some | | | | E string as close to tuned as you can and tune the |
| people to judge whether or not their guitar is in tune. | | | | other strings accordingly. Play the note at the fifth fret |
| So let us take a look at the bass guitar and some | | | | of the E string together with the open A string. Once |
| methods of tuning it. | | | | these two notes are the same, play the fifth fret of |
| Bass guitarists have proved themselves to be such | | | | the A string at the same time as the open D string. |
| innovators that there is now an astonishing range of | | | | When the D string sounds the same as the fifth fret of |
| bass guitars with different numbers of strings and a | | | | the A string, move onto playing the fifth fret of the D |
| range of tuning options to widen the range of notes | | | | string and tune the open G string to that. Now your |
| produced. For the purposes of this tutorial we will stick | | | | bass guitar is in tune. |
| with the original four string bass guitar. It is tuned to one | | | | You can also tune the bass guitar to itself using |
| octave lower than the standard guitar. | | | | harmonics. Touch your finger lightly on the fifth fret of |
| Most guitar players seem to agree that the best way | | | | the E string without pressing down. You will hear a |
| to begin tuning a guitar is to start with the guitar strings | | | | chiming note. Now play this harmonic again but at the |
| tuned lower than you want them to be and then tune | | | | same time playing the harmonic at the seventh fret of |
| them UP to the correct pitch. Actually it is a good idea | | | | the A string. Tune the A string till it matches the |
| to start with the strings a lot lower than they need to | | | | harmonic on the E string. Now play the fifth fret |
| be so you do not over-tighten them and run the risk of | | | | harmonic on the A string and match the seventh fret |
| a broken string. | | | | harmonic on the D string to that. Next, match the |
| Let us look at the basic tuning method first. Tuning the | | | | seventh fret harmonic on the G string with the fifth fret |
| bass guitar to a piano or keyboard. Find Middle C and | | | | harmonic on the D string. |
| go down two octaves. Got that C note? Okay, find | | | | Lastly, and most easily is the electronic tuning method. |
| the E below that. This is your note to tune the fourth | | | | Electronic tuners have a visual guide to tell you when |
| string of your bass guitar. Play the open fourth string | | | | your guitar is sounding the right note. For the sake of |
| and the E on your piano at the same time. If you hear | | | | your maturity as a guitar player you should first |
| a sound vaguely like the noise a helicopter makes, your | | | | practice at tuning the bass guitar using one or all of the |
| guitar is out of tune. Turn the tuning peg on your bass | | | | other methods, then check it with an electronic tuner. |
| guitar as you play the guitar and the keyboard | | | | You can buy an electronic tuner at a music store or |
| together, and listen to the "helicopter" sound. It will slow | | | | online. You can even do a search for online bass guitar |
| down as your guitar becomes in tune with the | | | | tuners. |