How Do You Tune Your Guitar?

[czardas]

Originally Posted by kenbennett

Pythagoras invented the tempered tuning system which is used everywhere today.

Pythagoras (if he actually existed) is said to have been responsible for several discoveries, particularly related to musical intervals (or ratios). There is a tuning system named after him, but equal temperament is something slightly different. The mathematics he was using wasn't quite up to the task. He used a system of simple numerical ratios. Equal temperament is logarithmic.

[matt.guitarteacher]

They're great for the money. I've had a kid break one. If you're twelve, get something more durable.

[Kojo27]

Originally Posted by czardas

This is what happens when we go around a circle of natural fifths (not tempered fifths) - we do not end up exactly back at the octave - but instead we end up slightly sharp. So small adjustments were made to the natural intervals to create equal temperament. This allowed more complicated chord changes (particularly modulation to different keys).

Much eastern music uses natural notes. This music does not modulate to different keys like western music does. Some early string instruments had moveable frets which needed to be adjusted according to the scale you were using. A few string instruments, such as the zitar, still have moveable frets.

Wow - fascinating. All this stuff is new to me. I have much reading to do - thanks, czardas.


KJ

[Dad3353]

Originally Posted by cmajor9

...do you find it better in any way than other clip-on tuners?...

Good evening, cmajor9...
Not too much experience with lots of models, and acquired the Snark only recently (read the recommendations on this forum...); this being said I find it very responsive (on several guitars and basses...), easy to read and gives good results. It's better than a couple of others I have (especially for it's reasonable cost...), so I'm more than satisfied. I wouldn't know about being robust, as I am rather careful in general, and don't (deliberately...) break much.
I have the Model 1 (no mic...); it fits my bill well.
(I've not tried it for tuning my drums, I use my ears for that... )