Tuning up by Jerry Byrd

Jack Byrd · From: Kalamazoo, Michigan

In a previous post I put up this is what Jerry had to say about tuning.

To tune your guitar, it is best to develop your ear rather than to depend on an electronic tuner. A tuner is a valuable tool if you must re-tune while other music is being played, but it's best to develop your musicianship in every possible way. Unless you have the gift of perfect pitch, you must tune your first string to another instrument that you know to be in tune. Tune your second sting to your first string by intonation. By that, I mean learn to recognize the interval you desire. If you are tuning to A major, your first string is E, your second string C#. The interval between is a minor third. Pluck the two strings at the same time and keep changing the second string until you hear a minor third. The third string will be an A. Tune it to the second string, C#. The interval separating them is a major third. The sound of the three strings, E.C#.A, is a major triad. Learn to recognize it. Your three bass strings are octaves of the first three strings. Tune each bass string to its octave string. Listen for a 'fluttering' sound. When it's gone, your two strings should be in tune, an octave apart.

In answer to Roy Thompson question on how Jerry tunes in a band setting this is his reply.

I tune two strings at a time. First string E at concert pitch and I can do that without a pitch pipe. I’ve done it all my life that is why I can do it. With the E and I then tune up two strings at a time. You have to do it by what I call intonation, you’ve got to hear the two strings together. You can’t tune them one and then the other. You got to tune them and strike them together to see that they are in tune together, then I do the next two strings, but always two strings or more, sometimes three. Then where you have two E’s an octave apart that’s easy, but never one string at a time and I don’t ever use a tuner. I had ears before they ever made tuners and they are all right if you’re outdoors or where you have outside interference then you can look at it and see (tuner). Nevertheless you’re still going to have to touch it up and tune by intonation with two strings together instead of one string at a time. When you’ve got one string out of gauge on guitars it will go out of tune when you press down on it. On steel you don’t push down but it will still be out of tune. I can’t understand people that have been playing for years and as long as some of these people have, why they can’t figure that out. They don’t have an ear I guess. So tuners are made for tin ears but I can tune up while they are pushing buttons on those damn things. I am tuned up while they are still hunting what button to push.

Roy Thomson · From: Wolfville, Nova Scotia,Canada

Thanks Jerry/Jack.
Question answered.
Jerry obviously tunes Just Intonation.
The fact that he can tune his "E" string without a reference indicates he either is blessed with perfect pitch or something close to it.
Many thanks

Ray Montee · From: Portland, Oregon (deceased)

And that's a FACT! Thank you Jerry and Jack!

C Dixon · From: Duluth, GA USA

Yes Roy,

Sooo correct. I have always believed he has "perfect pitch". It is said that "no one really has perfect pitch". I think they are wrong. Mel Torme once said he had it. I believe he did.

I have watched JB tune up many many times over soo many years. And he amazes me. He spends VERY little time doing it. And as he stated, he uses strictly his ear.

He can go from one tuning to another in a flash. And usually just walks down the strings two or more at a time as he tunes each one. Rarely does he have to go back and "tweak" them, as so many of us do. Its as though his ears and brain are a finely tuned and calibrated measuring instrument, that KNOWS exactly when it is correct.

May God continue to richly bless him for what he has brought to us.

carl

seldomfed · From: Colorado

I don't understand this comment - can some one help.

"When you’ve got one string out of gauge on guitars it will go out of tune when you press down on it. On steel you don’t push down but it will still be out of tune. "

What is out of guage?, out of the range of reasonable guage for that note??
thanks
chris

------------------
Chris Kennison
Ft. Collins, Colorado
"We can't afford to let Nature run wild" - govt. offical - Alaska
www.seldomfed.com

mikey · From: New Jersey

Chris,
Out of gauge is the inncorrect gauge string for the note it is tuned to...if it's too large, tension will be too high, too small, too loose...and each string won't have the same give or tension on them...and whether you realize it or not, altho you're not fretting,you are (or at least I do) apply a downward force on the strings w/ the bar...I personally am very heavy handed w/ my bar and push down quite a bit, and that can cause intonation problems...so I use short scale and the heavy end of the gauge/string tension spectrum to compensate for it....hope that helps explain it.
Mike

Forum Index > Steel Without Pedals		Next oldest topic :: Next newest topic

All times are GMT - 8 Hours	Jump to: