The method of tuning the guqin

Beginners are often confused about tuning the guqin. Here, I would like to give a brief introduction to the overtones tuning method, which is commonly used in several keys. First of all, as the name suggests, the overtone tuning method utilizes the overtones of the guqin to adjust the pitch. Secondly, there are five common tunings of the guqin, which can be divided into the main tuning and the outer tuning. The main key is also known as the positive key, which is also known as the F key in Western music theory. There are four common external tunings, namely, B-flat (tight five strings), C-flat (slow three strings), E-flat (tight two, five, seven strings), and G-flat (slow one, three, six strings).

First, the tuning method of the key of F (positive key)

The first step, first tune one of the strings, usually we will be the fifth string as the A tone. You can tune the fifth string first with the help of a tuner or a phone speakerphone, here the loose tone is utilized.

The second step is to tune the seven strings using the five strings, tuning the overtones of the five emblems of the seven strings to the same height as the overtones of the four emblems of the five strings.

Step 3: Using the 7th string to tune the 4th string, tune the overtones of the 5th string to the 7th string to the same pitch as the 7th string's overtones.

Step 4: Using the 4th string to tune the 6th string, tune the overtones of the 5th string of the 6th string to the same pitch as the overtones of the 4th string of the 4th string.

Step 5: Using the 6th string to tune the 3rd string, tune the overtones of the 5th and 5th strings of the 3rd string to the same pitch as the 7th and 7th strings of the 6th string.

Step 6: Using the 5-string to tune the 2-string, bring the overtones of the 5-string to the same pitch as the 7-string.

Step 7: Using the 4-string to tune the 1-string, bring the overtones of the 5-string to the same pitch as the 7-string.

Tuning method for Bb (tight fifths)

On the basis of positive tuning, raise the fifth string by a half a degree. The overtone of the fifth string is tuned to the same height as the fourth string.

Tuning in C (slow triad)

On the basis of normal tuning, lower the third string by a semitone. The fourth overtone of the third string is lowered to the same height as the fifth overtone of the fifth string.

Tuning method for E-flat

That is, on the basis of the tight fifth string, first raise the fifth overtone of the seventh string to the same level as the fourth overtone of the fifth string, and then raise the fifth overtone of the second string to the same level as the seventh overtone of the fifth string.

Tuning method for the key of G

On the basis of the slow three-string, lower the seventh overtones of the sixth string to the same level as the fifth overtones of the third string, and then lower the fourth overtones of the first string to the same level as the fifth overtones of the third string.

These are the five common tuning methods of overtone tuning, and I just want to give a brief introduction to make it easier for everyone to tune.

But beginners may ask how to recognize the tone, how to judge the tone of the high and low? This, we mainly based on the reference tone, such as the second step of the key of F, the use of five-string tuning seven-string, then the five-string is the reference tone, when the two vibration of the aftertone (wavelength) coincide, as if a sound, very clear, it shows that the tuning is accurate. On the contrary, if the two strings overtone end tone confusion is not clear, the aftertone has a buzzing sound, very confusing, is two different tones, then it shows that the calibration is not calibrated.

As for the tuning of the strings, it is done by changing the string tension, twisting the neck clockwise, the strings become looser, the pitch becomes lower, and vice versa, it becomes higher.