How to tune rock guitar
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How to tune rock guitar
Tuning a rock guitar and getting the sound you want is not an easy task. In this article, I’ll show you exactly how to tune rock guitar as well as to get grunge sound or Zeppelin.
How to tune rock guitar
To tune a rock guitar, you will need a reliable electronic tuner or a reference pitch to tune by ear. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to tune your guitar:
- First, determine the standard tuning for your guitar. For a rock guitar, the standard tuning is usually E-A-D-G-B-E (low to high).
- Pluck the low E string (the thickest one) and adjust the tuning peg until the pitch matches the reference pitch or the reading on the tuner.
- Repeat the process for the A string, D string, G string, B string, and high E string.
- Once all the strings are in tune, play a chord or two to make sure everything sounds correct. If any strings sound out of tune, adjust the corresponding tuning peg until it sounds right.
It’s important to tune your guitar before playing, as even a slightly out-of-tune instrument can throw off your playing and make it difficult to hear the nuances of your music. With a little practice, you’ll be able to tune your guitar quickly and accurately.
What is the standard tuning for a guitar
The standard tuning for a guitar is E-A-D-G-B-E, with the low E string being the thickest and the high E string is the thinnest. This is known as standard tuning or 6-string standard tuning.
To tune your guitar to standard tuning, you can use a guitar tuner or tune it by ear.
How to tune guitar by ear
To tune by ear, you can start by playing the low E string and adjusting the tuning pegs until the pitch matches the E note on a piano or another reference pitch. Then, play the A string and adjust the tuning pegs until the pitch matches the A note.
Continue this process for the rest of the strings. It may take some practice to get the hang of it, but with time and patience, you can learn to tune your guitar by ear.
How to tune guitar using a tuner
To tune your guitar using a tuner, follow these steps:
- Attach the tuner to your guitar. Most guitar tuners have a clip that you can attach to the headstock of your guitar. Some tuners also have a microphone built in, which you can use to tune your guitar by sound.
- Turn on the tuner and select the tuning you want to use. Most guitar tuners have a variety of tunings available, including standard tuning (E-A-D-G-B-E) and alternate tunings.
- Play the low E string on your guitar and adjust the tuning pegs until the tuner indicates that the pitch is in tune. The tuner will typically display a needle or a visual representation of the pitch, and will indicate when the pitch is in tune (usually by displaying a green light or the word “in tune”).
- Repeat the process for the rest of the strings. Play each string in turn and adjust the tuning pegs until the tuner indicates that the pitch is in tune.
- Fine-tune the strings as needed. After you’ve tuned all of the strings, you may find that some of them are slightly out of tune. In this case, you can use the fine-tuning pegs (located near the bridge of the guitar) to make small adjustments to the pitch of the strings.
How to get a rock guitar tone
To get a rock guitar tone, experiment with different combinations of guitars, amps, pickups, pedals, and techniques to find what works best for you and the music you’re playing. It’s also a good idea to listen to recordings of guitarists whose tones you admire and try to replicate their settings and techniques.
There are several factors that can contribute to a rock guitar tone:
- The guitar and amp: Different guitar and amp combinations will produce different tones. For example, a Fender Stratocaster played through a Marshall amp is a classic rock tone.
- The pickups: The pickups on your guitar play a big role in shaping your tone. Single-coil pickups tend to produce a bright, crisp sound, while humbucking pickups produce a warmer, fuller tone.
- The pedals: Effects pedals, such as distortion, overdrive, and reverb, can add character and depth to your tone.
- The technique: How you play your guitar can also affect your tone. For example, using a pick or your fingers, playing with different amounts of pressure, or using vibrato can all influence the tone.
- The settings: Adjusting the settings on your amp and pedals can also help shape your tone. For example, adjusting the gain, treble, and bass on your amp or tweaking the parameters on your pedals can help you achieve the sound you’re looking for.
How to get a grunge tone guitar sound
To get a grunge tone, experiment with different combinations of guitars, amps, pedals, and techniques to find what works best for you and the music you’re playing. It’s also a good idea to listen to recordings of guitarists whose tones you admire and try to replicate their settings and techniques.
To get a grunge guitar tone, you’ll want to use a combination of the following elements:
- The guitar and amp: A guitar with humbucking pickups, such as a Gibson Les Paul or an Epiphone SG, and a high-gain amp, such as a Marshall or a Mesa Boogie, can help you achieve a grunge sound.
- The pedals: Distortion and overdrive pedals can help create the distorted, crunchy sound associated with grunge. Experiment with different pedals and settings to find the right amount of distortion for your desired sound.
- The technique: Grunge guitarists often use a lot of palm muting, which involves lightly resting the side of your picking hand on the strings near the bridge to create a muted, choked sound. Experimenting with different picking techniques, such as using a pick or your fingers, can also help shape your tone.
- The settings: Adjusting the settings on your amp and pedals can also help you achieve a grunge sound. For example, setting the gain and volume high and the treble and bass low can help create a thick, heavy sound.
How to get the Zeppelin tone guitar?
To get a Led Zeppelin-like tone, experiment with different combinations of guitars, amps, pedals, and techniques to find what works best for you and the music you’re playing. It’s also a good idea to listen to recordings of Jimmy Page and try to replicate his settings and techniques.
To get a guitar tone similar to the one used by Led Zeppelin, you’ll want to use a combination of the following elements:
- The guitar and amp: Jimmy Page, the guitarist for Led Zeppelin, is known for using a variety of guitars, including a Gibson Les Paul and a Fender Telecaster. He also used a variety of amps, including Marshall stacks and Vox AC30s.
- The pickups: Page often used humbucking pickups, which produce a warm, full sound, to get his signature tone.
- The pedals: Page was known for using a variety of pedals, including a Dallas Rangemaster treble booster, an Electro-Harmonix Big Muff, and a Maestro Echoplex, to shape his tone.
- The technique: Page’s playing style was heavily influenced by blues and rock and roll, and he used a variety of techniques, such as vibrato, bends, and slides, to create his signature sound.
- The settings: Adjusting the settings on your amp and pedals can also help you achieve a Led Zeppelin-like tone. For example, setting the gain and volume high and the treble and bass low can help create a thick, heavy sound.
What chords are used in grunge?
Grunge music often incorporates a variety of chord progressions and structures. Some common chords that are used in grunge include:
- Power chords: These are chords that consist of just the root note and the fifth of the chord, and are often played with distorted or overdriven guitar tones.
- Major and minor chords: These chords are formed by playing the root, third, and fifth of the chord. Grunge songs often use a combination of major and minor chords to create a darker, moodier sound.
- Suspended chords: These chords are formed by replacing the third of a major or minor chord with either the second or fourth. Suspended chords create a sense of tension that can be used to add interest to a chord progression.
- Seventh chords: These chords are formed by adding a seventh interval above the root of a major or minor chord. Seventh chords are often used to add a bluesy or jazzy flavor to a progression.
In addition to these chords, grunge music also often incorporates a variety of alternative and unconventional chord voicings, such as open chords and barre chords, as well as dissonant or atonal chord progressions. Experimenting with different chord structures and voicings can help you create a unique and distinctive grunge sound.
What chords does ACDC use?
AC/DC is a rock band known for their straightforward, driving guitar riffs and energetic performances. They often use a variety of chord progressions and structures in their music, including:
- Power chords: These are chords that consist of just the root note and the fifth of the chord, and are often played with distorted or overdriven guitar tones. AC/DC often uses power chords to create a strong, driving sound.
- Major and minor chords: These chords are formed by playing the root, third, and fifth of the chord. AC/DC often uses a combination of major and minor chords to create a rock ‘n’ roll sound.
- Seventh chords: These chords are formed by adding a seventh interval above the root of a major or minor chord. Seventh chords are often used to add a bluesy or jazzy flavor to a progression.
In addition to these chords, AC/DC also often incorporates a variety of alternative and unconventional chord voicings, such as open chords and barre chords, as well as dissonant or atonal chord progressions. Experimenting with different chord structures and voicings can help you create a unique and distinctive rock sound.
What are Electric guitar tuning apps?
An electric guitar tuning app is a software application that helps you tune your electric guitar by providing reference pitches for each string. These apps are typically available for smartphones and tablets and can be downloaded from app stores or online.
To use an electric guitar tuning app, you’ll need to have a device with a microphone. You can then open the app and select the tuning you want to use (such as standard tuning or an alternate tuning).
The app will then provide a reference pitch for each string, and you can use the tuning pegs on your guitar to adjust the pitch of each string until it matches the reference pitch. Some electric guitar tuning apps also have features such as a metronome and a chord library, which can be helpful for practicing and learning new songs.
Electric guitar tuning apps can be a convenient and easy way to tune your guitar, especially if you don’t have a physical guitar tuner or if you don’t have access to a reference pitch.
They can also be useful for experimenting with different tunings or for practicing your ear-tuning skills.
Hope you’ve enjoy reading my article!
Thanks,
Tom
I’m Tom S. Ray and I’m head mastering engineer at Audio Unity Group. I also hold a bachelor with honours degree in music from Kingston University in London, I lecture mastering to students in Edinburgh College and to my online students via my Mastering Mastery audio mastering online course.
