Many guitarists get desperate when they read "Tuning: Half a Tone Below" at the top of the tablature. Tuning your guitar like this can be a real nightmare if you don't know how to do it, and it can also put stress on the truss rod in the neck of your instrument. But you don't have to be afraid to play and tune in Eb. It's a great way to experiment with the sounds of your guitar and get a deeper tone.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: With a Chromatic Tuner
Step 1. Find a chromatic tuner
There's no need to spend $ 60 or more for a pedal tuner. If you have a smartphone you can find many applications (free or at a low price) that can do the same job. You should only invest in a pedal if you plan on performing live often.
Step 2. Start with the low E
It doesn't matter if this string isn't tuned well, because you have to change it anyway. Tune the E until the reader reports Eb or D #.
Step 3. Continue with the A
Tune the A until the device reads Lab or G #. Do not turn the key too fast or you risk losing the pitch.
Step 4. Lower the King's string
Tune the D until the device's screen reads Reb or C #. Remember to loosen the rope gradually.
Step 5. Then move on to Sol
Loosen the G string until you read Solb or F # on the device.
Step 6. Tune the Yes
Lower the note of the B string to Bb or A #.
Step 7. Tune the E sing
Loosen the E string slowly, until you read Eb or D # on the device.
Step 8. Check each string again
Often, after loosening all the strings, the instrument does not hold the tuning. Play every note and make sure you get Eb Lab Reb Gb Eb Eb or D # B # C # F # A # D #.
- You may need to check the tuning several times.
- Try tuning by playing one string at a time. Make sure they are all in tune.
Method 2 of 3: By Ear
Step 1. Check the tuning of your guitar
Make sure it is the standard one, otherwise by following this method you will lower the current tuning of the instrument by half a step.
Step 2. Start with A
Play the fourth fret on the sixth string (low E). What you hear is a Lab. Loosen the fifth string until you play the same note you hear when pressing the fourth fret of the low E. In this way you have brought the La to a Lab.
Step 3. Correct the low E string
Play the seventh fret on the A string. The note produced is an Eb. Play the E string in open space and again the A string on the seventh fret. Loosen the sixth string until the note produced is identical to the Eb played on the fifth.
Step 4. Finish tuning the other strings
After loosening the low E and A, tune the rest of the instrument as you normally would. Follow this order:
- Tune the fourth string to the fifth fret of the fifth string.
- Tune the third string to the fifth fret of the fourth string.
- Tune the second string to the fourth fret of the third string.
- Tune the first string to the fifth fret of the second string.
Step 5. Check the tuning
If you get the chance, use a tuner app or website and check your work. Tuning a guitar half-tone below the standard changes the tension exerted on the neck. It takes some time for the strings to settle.
Method 3 of 3: Using a Capo
Step 1. Put the nut on the first fret
It is a very useful tool for switching from one key to another. It is usually used for playing in different keys without changing the tuning. With a nut on the first fret, the sixth string played empty produces an F.
With this method you will proceed to tune the guitar in a standard way, that is a semitone lower than the first fret. When you remove the nut, the instrument will be tuned half a tone lower
Step 2. Find a tuner or piano
Lower the sixth string to E. If you are using a piano, play an E and loosen the sixth string until the same note is played. Don't be in a hurry and make sure the notes have the same frequency.
This technique can be useful if you have a non-chromatic tuner. Chromatic devices recognize all notes, including flats and sharps
Step 3. Tune the rest of the guitar normally
Continue with each string using a tuner, piano, or by ear. Play a normal chord to check that the tuning is perfect.
Step 4. Remove the nut
After following this procedure, the instrument should be tuned one semitone lower than the standard. Play an E chord after removing the nut.
Step 5. Correct the tuning
Play each string and make sure it produces the right note. Trust your ears, but if you're having trouble use a more precise tool.
