Concert Pitch

By this point, it should be apparent to us that there is a specific interval

between each of the strings even though we don’t know what that interval is yet.
From that bit of information we can deduce that from one string, all the remaining
strings can be tuned relative to it. So that creates a question: How do we tune that
one string? Obviously, we will need some sort of reference pitch to work from. The
pitch we use to reference is called “concert pitch.”
In order to explain concert pitch, we need to examine how the pitch of a note
is determined. What determines the pitch is the frequency of the sound waves in the
air. Frequency is measured in “Hertz,” or cycles per second. For example, a note
with a frequency of 110 Hz will complete 110 cycles of its particular vibration pattern
every second.
Concert pitch is based off of the standard establishing that the note of A
above middle C on the piano should be tuned to 440 Hz. On the guitar, this note falls
on the fifth fret of the 1st string. However, you can tune the open 5th string to this
note as well because it is the same note, just two octaves apart (like the two open E
strings). The frequency of a note is doubled for a note one octave higher, and halved
for a note one octave lower. This means that the frequency of the open A on the 5th
string will vibrate at 110 Hz, the A on the seventeenth fret of the 1st string will vibrate
at 880 hz, etc. It is important to tune the guitar to concert pitch, as this is what
allows you to play in tune with other instruments.
To tune the guitar to concert pitch, you need a source from which to derive
the concert pitch. Three sources I would recommend are a well-tuned piano, a tuning
fork, or an electronic tuner. A pitch pipe could also be used however I don’t
recommend it because the reeds inside which produce the pitches warp with
temperature changes and bend through repeated use. This causes slight change in
the pitch so that it will not sound in tune.
If you are tuning to the piano, match the 1st string (E) to the E that is found
two notes above middle C on the keyboard. For those of you that haven’t figured it
out yet, you can also tune the 6th string (E) to the E two octaves lower on the
keyboard. To use a tuning fork, hold it at the un-forked end and strike it against a
hard surface. Then touch the tip of the end in your hand to that surface and voila,
you are hearing a frequency of 440 Hz (A). Most electronic tuners have a microphone
built into them for acoustic guitars, or you can plug directly into them with an electric
guitar. Though different electronic tuners may have a different kind of display, they
are all showing you the same information: The name of the note being sounded, as
well as how in tune that note is by showing you how far above or below the pitch it is.