Tuning with Harmonics
Tuning with harmonics is popular tuning method with experienced guitarists. This option is difficult at first to execute but with practice will prove to be a useful and accurate tuning method. A harmonic is a 'bell like' sound that is produced by lightly touching the string directly above the fretwire as the string is picked. The string is not pressed against the fretboard. The most common harmonics are found at the 5th, 7th and 12th frets. There are many options for using harmonics for tuning with harmonics. The most common option is described next.
Step 1 Tuning the 5th string to the 6th string
This method is similar to tuning the guitar to itself as the strings are tuned in order from the sixth string to the first string. The 6th string will need to be in tune using methods outlined earlier in the book. Play the harmonic on the fifth fret of the 6th string. Now play the harmonic on the seventh fret of the 5th string. Adjust the tuning key for the 5th string until the harmonic on the fifth fret of the 6th string (E) is the same as the harmonic on the seventh fret of the 5th string (E).
Step 2 Tuning the 4th string to the 5th string
Play the harmonic on the fifth fret of the 5th string. Now play the harmonic on the seventh fret of the 4th string. Adjust the tuning key for the 4th string until the harmonic on the fifth fret of the 5th string (A) is the same as the harmonic on the seventh fret of the 4th string (A).
Step 3 Tuning the 3rd string to the 4th String
Play the harmonic on the fifth fret of the 4th string. Now play the harmonic on the seventh fret of the 3rd string. Adjust the tuning key for the 3rd string until the harmonic on the fifth fret of the 4th string (D) is the same as the harmonic on the seventh fret of the 3rd string (D).
The final steps of this method involve comparing the seventh fret harmonic of the 6th string with the open 2nd string and the seventh fret harmonic of the 5th string with th open 1st string.
Step 4 Tuning the 2nd string to the 6th string
Play the harmonic on the seventh fret of the 6th string. Now play the open 2nd string. Adjust the tuning key for the 2nd string until the harmonic on the seventh fret of the 6th string (B) is the same as the open 2nd string (B).
Step 5 Tuning the 1st string to the 5th String
Play the harmonic on the seventh fret of the 5th string. Now play the open 1st string. Adjust the tuning key for the 1st string until the harmonic on the seventh fret of the 5th string (E) is the same as the open 1st string (E).
