First of all, it should be said thattuning a twelve-string guitartechnically not much different from the usual six strings. This instrument is not used by all guitarists - only by those who play mainly acoustic music in order to enrich their sound with overtones and additional sounds. As a rule, the paired strings of such guitars are tuned either in prima or in an octave to each other. In this case, the second option is more complex, but more preferable, since it enriches the sound better, while tuning to the same note simply adds an artificial stereo effect. In addition, the guitar is distinguished by its width and strength of the neck - after all, it is designed for a much stronger tension. You will also need more effort in order to clamp all the strings. Below is a detailed guide to tuning a twelve-string guitar, as well as what tunings it can generally use.

Since the twelve-string guitar has another, additional set of strings, the procedure for tuning it slightly changes. In particular, the pulling of another pack, which was previously absent. Therefore, the actions change in exactly one aspect - after you have installed the first set, do not start tuning, but install another one - an additional one, on the missing pegs. This should be done more carefully, since the load on the tool is doubled, and a careless attitude can lead to such a question as .

The most classic setup scheme looks like this:

strings	Note
1 and 2	E and E
3 and 4	B&B
5 and 6	G and g an octave up
7 and 8	D and d up an octave
9 and 10	A and a up an octave
11 and 12	E and e an octave higher

Based on this scheme, it becomes clear that just two sets of ordinary strings will not be able to make the guitar sound correctly - therefore, you need to buy special packs, where everything is already calculated for optimal tension and so that nothing breaks.

Tuning 12 string guitar online

The simplest way to carry outtuning 12 guitars –is to use the tuner. Otherwise, you simply cannot do it - in order to make all the strings sound correctly, you need a really powerful ear, close to absolute. Below you will find a good online tuner with which you can tune your instrument.

How to use the online tuner

1. Click on the string to be tuned;
2. Tune the main six strings as you would normally tune a six-string instrument, in unison with the online tuner;
3. Start tuning additional strings;
4. The sixth additional is recommended to be tuned last, when the entire neck is already in the position in which it should be approximately.

Such a term means that the string will give you the same note, but six steps higher than the main one. This allows you to significantly diversify your compositions, for example, using only an additional string when playing by picking - this is how, for example, several songs of the Mastodon group are played. In addition, thanks to this, the very sound of the guitar changes - it becomes more voluminous and rich, precisely thanks to the strings tuned in an octave to each other.

One answer to this question is to do everything very carefully, especially with regard to additional strings. Stretch them slowly, allowing time to stretch, and gradually tune to the desired frequency.

Another option is to tune the guitar a tone lower than the standard tuning - that is, roughly speaking, in the "Open D" tuning - the same standard, but one note lower than it. After that, make the additional strings also sound one note lower. If you need a standard tuning, just use the capo.

Another option is to try other tunings that were designed specifically for tuning a twelve-string guitar.

Why lower the tuning of the guitar? How will the sound change?

This is a fairly broad question and is best answered by fans of heavy music and electric guitars. First of all, this is done in order to make it more convenient and interesting to play works in the specified key. For example, if an open bass string is used in fingering, but a note of standard tuning is not used in the scale, then the entire tuning is lowered specifically so that the song can be played.

In addition, lowering the tuning is used in heavy music to achieve a more aggressive and low sound. In our case, the strings are lowered simply in order to achieve the desired sound of the guitar, and so that they simply do not break. Accordingly, the notes will be lower than usual, which will affect the sound - it will become more aggressive, bass and surround, especially if you have chosen a good kit for this.

Here you can tune a 12-string guitar by ear using online tuner.

How to tune a guitar by ear using an online tuner?

With this tuner, you can also tune your guitar online, without a microphone or any other troubles.

This tuner is quite simple. With it, you can tune the guitar only in eEaAdDgGBBEE standard tuning for 12-string guitar.

How to work with the tuner:

To tune a 12-string guitar, you can use this tuner.

This tuner has 12 buttons. Each button individually corresponds to one of the open strings of a 12-string guitar tuned in standard tuning eEaAdDgGBBE. Lowercase letters mean that the sound of the string is one octave higher than that of its pair.
You won't be able to do Downtuning and Alternate Tuning with this tuner.

To start playing the desired note, click on it at the bottom of the tuner.
To stop playing a note, there is a button on the left - Stop Sound.

Setting order:

The tuning of a 12-string guitar is almost the same as the standard tuning of an acoustic guitar. Only with the difference that a 12-string guitar has 6 pairs of strings of 2 types: 6 regular and 6 octave strings. The thinner the string, the more it sounds one octave higher than its pair.

The main strings of a 12-string guitar are tuned to the standard tuning.
1st additional string (i.e. string #1) is tuned in unison with the main (string #2)
The 2nd additional string (i.e. string number 3) is also tuned in unison with the main (string number 4)
The remaining additional strings (strings #5, 7, 9, 11) are tuned to the same notes as the main strings (strings #6, 8, 10, 12), but an octave higher.

So, the following setup scheme turned out:

1st string - E (MI of the first octave)
2nd string - E (MI of the first octave)
3rd string - H (SI small octave)
4th string - H (SI small octave)
5th string - G (SOL small octave)
6th string - G (SOL of the first octave)
7th string - D (PE small octave)
8th string - D (PE of the first octave)
9th string - A (A large octave)
10th string - A (LA small octave)
11th string - E (MI large octave)
12th string - E (MI small octave)

Twelve-string guitar tuning features:

Tune the sixth string last and very carefully, as this string has the most tension.
If new or nylon strings are strung, it is better to tune the sixth string down a tone, and after it is stretched, you will need to reach the desired note. If this is not done, there is a high risk that the string will burst.

The string tension on a 12-string guitar is very high (because of the large number of strings) and this can be detrimental to an acoustic guitar if it is not of very good quality.
To reduce the tension of the strings, alternative tunings are used (which are usually half a tone - a tone lower).

But if you want to tune your guitar using standard 12-string tuning without damaging your instrument, there is one tricky trick you can use: tune your acoustic guitar down a tone and put a capo on the first fret. As a result, the system will remain the same, and the tension has decreased.
This will help extend the life of your instrument.

Many people love the sound of the guitar and some even decide to learn how to play it. First you need to understand how the guitar is tuned and how you can do it yourself. There are several simple ways that do not require special knowledge and are suitable for beginners.

How to tune a guitar?

In order to play the instrument and reproduce beautiful melodies, it is necessary to tune it correctly. For this purpose, you do not need to contact specialists, since most of the methods are simple. Tuning an acoustic guitar and a bass guitar is carried out in the same way, with the exception of some details. It is important to know which notes correspond to the strings on the instrument.

How to tune a 6 string guitar?

There are many ways to tune the instrument yourself, for example, this can be done using a device - a tuner, which is also available in the online version. You can also tune the guitar through a microphone using online programs. In addition, this can be done by ear and in other ways, for example, by flageolets. The last option is the most difficult, but it can be used to achieve maximum sound accuracy. First, it is worth pointing out that the harmonic is a playing technique in which an overtone sound is extracted. Tuning a six-string guitar goes like this:

1. To extract the desired sound, touch the tip of your left finger to the 6th string above the fifth fret.
2. Touch the string with your other hand and immediately remove your left finger.
3. After that, remove the harmonic over the seventh fret on the 5th string.
4. It is important that the overtone sounds are identical and sound in unison.
5. The first string must be tuned to the reference sound or tuner, and then the harmonics are compared.

Tuning a 6-string guitar using different tuners should be carried out taking into account the correspondence of strings and notes:

• 1 - note Mi (E);
• 2 - note C (B);
• 3 - note Sol (G);
• 4 - note Re (D);
• 5 - note La (A);
• 6 - note Mi (E).

How to tune a 7 string guitar?

All of the tuning options below apply to the seven-string guitar as well. In addition, you can also use a tuning fork - a device capable of emitting only the sound "La". Tuning a seven-string guitar in this way begins with the first string, which at the fifth fret should make the same sound. When it sounds in unison with the tuning fork, you can move on to tuning other strings, for which the first one will be the standard. The scheme is identical to the instructions for tuning by ear, as described below.

Tuning a guitar online or using a tuner is carried out taking into account the correspondence of notes to strings:

• 1 - D;
• 2 - B;
• 3 - G;
• 4 - D;
• 5 - B;
• 6 - G;
• 7-D.

12 string guitar tuning

All methods suitable for six-string and seven-string guitars can be used for these musical instruments. There are several rules for tuning a guitar without a tuner:

1. The sixth string should be tuned last and carefully, as it has the highest tension.
2. When using new or nylon 6 strings, tune down a tone and after a while you can turn it up.
3. It is better to tune an acoustic guitar a tone lower and put a capo on the first fret. Thanks to this, the sharpness of the sound will be preserved, and the tension will decrease, which will extend the life of the instrument.

To tune the guitar, you need to focus on the following correspondence of strings and notes:

• 1 and 2 - E;
• 3 and 4 - B;
• 5 and 6 - G and g an octave higher;
• 7 and 8 - D and d an octave higher;
• 9 and 10 - A and a an octave higher;
• 11 and 12 - E and e an octave higher.

Bass tuning

It should be noted right away that the standard tuning of such an instrument is no different from a conventional six-string guitar. There is one significant difference - the bass guitar must be tuned a tone lower. All of the methods presented in this article work for the bass guitar, but the best solution is a guitar tuning device, i.e. a tuner. It is important to know the correspondence of strings and notes:

• 1 - G;
• 2 - D;
• 3 - A;
• 4 - E.

How to tune a guitar for a beginner?

There are many different ways that are available to everyone. You can tune your guitar by ear, but you won't achieve perfect sounds. For this, additional tools, such as a tuning fork, can be used. In addition, there are special devices, thanks to which you can quickly bring each string to the ideal. If you are interested in how to tune a guitar using a tuner, you should indicate that a smartphone can play its role, and another option is to use online programs.

Tuning your guitar with a tuner

This device has a microphone, thanks to which it analyzes the vibrations of the string and helps to quickly tune the instrument. The guitar tuner has buttons that, when pressed, play the reference sound for each string. After that, the string is activated and the device will show the difference and indicate that you need to pull up (the arrow leaned to the left) or loosen (the arrow leaned to the right). When it stops in the middle, the tuning of the guitar is complete.

How to tune your guitar with your phone?

Modern smartphones can be used as a tuner. For example, for an Android phone, you can download the GuitarTuna program from the Play Store. Use this guitar tuning app like this:

1. On the main screen below, you need to find the "Tuner" icon and activate it.
2. Then select the desired string and tune. Position your phone so that it picks up the sound of the guitar.
3. The scale will move up or down to indicate a high or low tone. Move the pins until the indicator is centered.
4. When the setting is optimal, a check mark will appear and the program will prompt you to move to another note.
5. In the program, you can change the settings depending on your own preferences for convenient use.

Tuning your guitar by ear

In order to make the correct adjustment, it is necessary for the ears to begin to detect the beating of two sounds, similar to volume jumps. It is important that the room is quiet and free from distractions. You can tune the guitar by ear as follows:

1. First, play 1 string and memorize its sound, which will be the starting point, and we will not change its pitch.
2. Play the 2nd string by pressing it at the fifth fret. Match the sound to 1 string, and turn the peg to get a seamless sound.
3. Tune the 3rd string to the 2nd by pressing it at the fourth fret. Tune the 4th, 5th and 6th string by pressing it at the fifth fret.
4. To check the quality of the tuning, try playing a few chords and re-tune if necessary.

How to tune a guitar through a computer?

The network has special online tuners that can be used for both acoustic and electric guitars. In the first case, there is a built-in microphone, and in the second, you can use the line-in cable input. The program for tuning a guitar is based on the fact that it shows a note suitable for the frequency of the string's vibration. The tuner will determine the note and indicate what needs to be done: lower or raise the string. Spin the pegs until the indicator is in the center.

The tuning of the guitar is carried out according to the following scheme:

1. Choose an online tuner on the Internet (they all work on the same principle). Please note that if the application is not displayed, then you need to install the latest version of Adobe Flash Player. Connect the microphone and check its operation.
2. Run the application and if it works correctly, letters will start to appear.
3. Bring the guitar to the microphone and play the string. Follow the tuner readings and make the necessary adjustments.

Tuning 12 string guitar online.

Many are interested in how to play it and how to set it up, so there will be a small article about this.

Undoubtedly, the sound 12 string guitar noticeably different, it is richer and more melodic. Ballads, blues and much more sound beautiful, listening to this guitar is much more pleasant. Play on 12 string exactly the same as on 6. The chord fingerings are identical.

But not everything is as beautiful as it seems at first glance. Due to the fact that when installing twice as many strings, the musician will also need twice as much effort. An unprepared musician will not finish playing even one song to the end just because his left hand will simply get tired. And when playing chords with the barre technique, the hand gets tired twice as quickly.

The differences in the instrument itself are a reinforced neck in thickness and wider than usual. The strings are close to each other, so you need to press more precisely to avoid rattling.

I highly do not advise beginners to play on it, otherwise it will discourage the desire to play at all. Joke, of course.

And so let's sum up 12 string guitar. There are both advantages and, I would say, inconveniences of working with it.

Advantages

• The sound is more melodic, rich
• It creates the effect that two guitars are playing.

inconvenience

• The musician's effort is a major disadvantage.
• Slightly quieter sound compared to regular 6 string
• More precisely, you need to press the chords

Setting 12th the guitar is exactly the same as 6, but that's not the point. The main thing is which strings to put. By number I would advise №9 . But that's not all.
You will naturally experiment with installing additional strings. There is a whole sea of ​​experiments.

A couple of tips on how tune your guitar I can give.

• Tune the guitar a half step (tone) lower - this will reduce the tension of the strings.
• Install the strings according to the suggested scheme below, which will also reduce stress.
• In addition to the standard set of strings, buy an additional 1st and 2nd strings for experimentation.

How to tune a 12-string guitar

First, fully tune the guitar without any additional strings like a normal guitar. 6, and then tune the additional strings. Where it is necessary to tune an octave higher, clamp the thick string on 12th fret and tune additional strings in unison.

p/n strings	Sound	adjustable string thickness
1	E	1st string
2		1st string
3	B	2nd string
4		2nd string
5	G	3rd string
6	G (up an octave)	1st string
7	D	4th string
8	D (up an octave)	1st string
9	A	5th string
10	A (up an octave)	2nd string
11	E	6th string
12	E (up an octave)	1st string

Enjoy your game!

Answers to your questions:

Yana Diaghileva:"Why, when tuned 1 octave higher, do the 2nd strings fail and break?"

A few tips on how to tune your guitar. The string tension on a 12 string guitar is very high.(due to the large number of strings) and this can be detrimental to an acoustic guitar if it is not of very good quality. To reduce string tension, alternative tunings are used (which are usually half a tone lower). Tune the sixth string last and very carefully, as this string has the most tension. If new or nylon strings are strung, then it is better to tune the sixth string a tone lower, and after it is stretched, you can reach the desired note. Never tune the sixth string straight into the tuning fork. It will definitely burst with you, because. has the strongest tension. The open sixth string should sound in unison with the first and second strings pressed at the third fret. Thus, the sixth string of a twelve-string guitar is pulled tighter than any of the strings of a regular six-string. But how do you tune your guitar if you want to play using the guitar's standard 12 tuning? You can resort to the following trick: tune the acoustic guitar a tone lower and put the capo on the first fret. As a result, the system remained the same, and the tension decreased. If you are installing new strings, you must give them time to stretch. Try tuning the 2nd string a step lower, wait a while for the string to stretch, and gradually tune it.

The guitar is a wonderful instrument and a great pastime for people who love to sing songs. A person who has a guitar can be said to have everything: a voice, an ear, a talent, friends, and an audience. In fact, playing such an instrument is quite difficult, since far from everyone has the development of fingers and the desire to learn. Although there are still people who are disposed to music, and have chosen as an accompaniment not the piano and violin, but the guitar.

Before you start playing the guitar and learning, it is worth first doing one procedure that is inherently associated with the instrument. It's worth figuring out how to set it up! Yes, you heard right, there are not 6 strings, as you are used to seeing, but twice as many. And this means that playing a 12-string guitar is several times more difficult. But trust me, it's worth it to start!

What is the main difference?

Before we start tuning the guitar, let's tell you a little about how important sound is. In fact, it is from the sound that the further impression of the audience on the musician is formed. The desire of the audience to listen to the piece to the end or to interrupt it at the very first measure depends on how the player gives the sound, at what pace and volume. It should be remembered that playing a 12-string guitar is almost the same as playing a 6-string. True, you have to strain a little, because the sound should be cleaner and thinner. And now let's move on to how to tune a 12-string guitar.

Setting nuances

The strings are defined in pairs, so we will call them parties. First batch of strings. Every self-respecting musician should have a tuning fork at home, according to which the tuning of the guitar and any other instrument begins. So, the first batch of strings should sound like a pure note "mi". The first string should sound in unison with the second and vice versa. Tighten or loosen the strings. The tighter they are, the higher the sound will become. Accordingly, the weaker, the lower. If the two strings sound exactly the same, then you did everything right and you can proceed to the next steps.

Second party. These two strings should sound together like a "si" note. You can easily use the first batch to help set up. Gently press the second pair, which is on the fifth fret, with your finger, and if it sounds the same, in unison, then the job is done - the sound is the same.

Third party. These two "neighbors" should sound like the "G" note, which is well known to all musicians. But here the situation is a little more complicated than with the first two games. To begin with, it is important to tune the first string, first holding it only at the fifth fret, and then play it with the second string. One of them must be tighter than the other. It is in this case that the two "girlfriends" will sound in unison.

Fourth batch of strings. Everything is easy here, since the two strings should sound like a D note. Since you have already learned how to tune the previous batch, you will no longer have problems with this one. Everything is done in exactly the same way - through the fifth fret by clamping each of the strings, and then two at the same time.

Fifth batch of strings. Everything is similar to the previous steps. The setup will be the same. These two strings sound ideally like the note "A". Everything is exactly the same, according to the scheme that is written above, through the fifth fret - clamping the first string, then the second, and then all together.

And finally, the sixth batch of strings. They sound like the note "mi". Actions will be similar to the previous ones. So just stick to the already developed skills that you have received all the time tuning all five strings.

Easier setup option

To make it easier for you to understand, then look at tuning a 12-string guitar online. This is much easier than reading printed letters. On this score, many homemade videos are shot by ordinary people who help beginners figure out how to properly handle the guitar. It is tuning a 12-string guitar online that has become a popular way in our time to even learn how to play if you don’t know the notes.

• It is recommended to tune the guitar a semitone lower. So the tool itself is not subject to deformation. This happens due to the fact that the volume of the strings is quite large - there are as many as 12 of them, and the tension is strong. In order not to spoil the instrument and not break it, it is better that it sound a little lower in tones.
• Follow a certain order when tuning the strings, do not start everything chaotically. The sixth string generally tends to strain more than all the others. Therefore, take it at the very last moment.
• If you have nylon strings and have just put them on your guitar, then first tune the sixth string, as nylon has a special property of stretching. After a while, the string itself will stretch, and then pull it tighter until it sounds perfect.
• Be sure to correct the strings if they have moved out, do not try to play if you see that everything is not in order with the tuning. It is better to stop and straighten the strings than to play the melody to the end and break them.
• Tuning a 12-string guitar can also be done through a tuner, if you have one, of course. It's much easier and more convenient. And if you have an electronic tuner, then it is even more comfortable. This kind of tuning of a 12-string guitar with the help of a tuner allows you to refine the sound, highlight its brightness and unusualness.
• Tuning a guitar by ear without the help of a tuning fork or tuner is a bad example for a beginner and not exactly the wrong way out. So you can just ruin the tool. Here you need to have an amazing ear for the notes to be perfect, which is rare among beginners.
• Be attentive to the fretboard - this is the "spine" of your instrument. Remember that you need to carefully hold on to the bar and not take it with aggression, even if something does not work out.

We hope that all these tips and rules for tuning the guitar have helped you a lot. But do not forget to watch the training video so that all the above points are clear both in writing and in speech. You need a clear example of what you should be able to do.