Unison Tuning

You may wish to review String Names before continuing with this lesson.

When two notes have the exact same pitch, they are said to be in unison. One manner in which we can tune the guitar is to find a pitch on one string and match that pitch on another. This is known as unison tuning. This is also sometimes (mistakenly) referred to as the fifth fret method. You will see why the name is not completely appropriate as you read more.

There are several steps in the process of unison tuning:

STEP 1:
Tune the 6th string to an outside source which is known to be in tune
(such as a tuning fork, piano, or an electronic tuner).

STEP 2:
To tune the 5th string, find its exact pitch (A) on the 6th string.
You will find this note on the fifth fret of the 6th string.

STEP 3:
To tune the 4th string, find its exact pitch (D) on the 5th string.
You will find this note on the fifth fret of the 5th string.

STEP 4:
To tune the 3rd string, find its exact pitch (G) on the 5th string.
You will find this note on the fifth fret of the 4th string.

STEP 5:
To tune the 2nd string, find its exact pitch (B) on the 3rd string.
You will find this note on the FOURTH fret of the 5th string.

STEP 6:
To tune the 1st string, find its exact pitch (E) on the 2nd string.
You will find this note on the fifth fret of the 2nd string.

You may have observed that each step is another generation away from the original pitch which was KNOWN to be in tune. In other words, any inaccuracies will be carried through to the next string and beyond. Because of this, unison tuning is not one of the most accurate methods.

Other methods of tuning the guitar are included in Introduction To Tuning and Tuning With Harmonics