X-tras and Wrap Up!

Introduction

Hey Rockstars! Ever been in a jam session where no one had a tuner? If you haven’t yet, be prepared because it will happen at some point. Today, we're going old-school and learning how to tune by ear. Let's get pitch-perfect!

Learning Objectives:
By the end of this lesson, you should be able to:
1. Understand the importance of tuning by ear.
2. Tune your guitar using the 5th-fret method (with the exception of the B string).
3. Apply practical tips when tuning with another musician.

The 5th-Fret Method:
Tuning by ear is all about matching pitches. Here's a step-by-step guide to get you started:

E to A: Play the “A” note located at the fifth fret on the low E string, then the open A string below. Try to match the pitches.
A to D: Play the “D” note at the fifth fret on the A string, then the open D string. Match those pitches.
D to G: Play the “G” note at the fifth fret on the D string, then the open G string. Match them up.
G to B (Special Case): Move to the 4th fret on the G string to play the “B” note, then the open B string. Match these pitches.
B to E: Back to the fifth fret on the B string, play the “E” note, then the open high E string. Match the pitches.

Why Tune by Ear?
In the digital age, it's easy to rely on electronic tuners. But tuning by ear is a crucial skill, especially when jamming with others. If no one has a tuner, you'll need to tune your guitar to match theirs. And trust me, you don't want to be the one out of tune in a jam session!

Pro Tips for Tuning with Others:

Avoid the Endless Tuning Loop: Don’t start by tuning your E string to the other player and then immediately tuning the rest of the strings on your own. You might end up out of tune and have to start all over.
Quick Jam Check: After tuning your low E string to another player, play a simple riff together. If you sound in tune, you're good to go. If not, adjust your E string and jam again. Once in sync, you can tune the rest of your strings.
String-by-String Match: Alternatively, you can tune each of your strings to the corresponding strings on the other player's guitar.

Interactive Challenge:
Grab a friend! If they play, have them tune up using an electronic tuner. Then, try the "play a simple riff together" approach. If you sound in tune, you're golden. If your friend doesn't play, have them pick each open string on a tuned guitar while you try to match the pitch by ear.

If neither of you has a tuner, try tuning one guitar as best as you can and jam on it. If it sounds decent, that's the guitar you'll tune to.

Quiz Time:
1. What string do you fret at the 4th fret for tuning the string below?
2. Should you tune your low E string to another player and then go directly to tuning your guitar on your own?
3. What is an alternative method for tuning your guitar to another player?

Practice Routine:
Spend 5 minutes practicing the 5th-fret method on your own.
If you have a second guitar or instrument, try tuning together using the pro tips.
Challenge yourself: Can you tune your guitar by ear without checking with an electronic tuner?

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