What do you do if you're stuck without your tuner? With relative tuning, the guitar may not be in perfect pitch, but you can still get the strings in tune with each other.

Video Transcription

Another way of tuning is called “relative tuning”. Now, (Music playing) if this is the way you cannot make the strings in perfect pitch but you will get the strings and tune with one another with your ear. So, that if you are somewhere or your guitar tuner is not – you can at least get the strings in tune and an E chord will sound like an E chord. Now, the low E string at the fifth fret, if you can see here, that note is A (Music playing) which is the same as the 5th string open (Music playing). You can hear that for just a little louder tune. So, we are going to pull that up and you are going to match that with your ear (Music playing). So, that is still a little flat, (Music playing) hear that? So, for instance, if I were out of tune and I picked up this guitar and (Music playing), I am going to do this (Music playing) and I could tell that my string is low or flat (Music playing). So, I am going to raise it up to match that tone of the 6th string, fifth fret (Music playing). Can you hear that getting closer? (Music playing), not quite there yet (Music playing). Almost, a little bit higher, (Music playing) here we go. Perfect. Now, the 5th string or A string at the fifth fret that is D, (Music playing) which is the same as the 4th string open, which is D (Music playing). We are going to match those two, (Music playing) hear that? (Music playing) And that is good. Next one, we have the 4th string at the fifth fret, (Music playing) that note is G; same as the 3rd string open (Music playing). So, you are going to match those. Did you see how you have your finger in there? (Music playing) do not lean it over and get it in the way of the other string, stay up here (Music playing). Stay out of the way of that open string so you can match those. The only difference is now at the 3rd string. You have to be at the fourth fret not the fifth fret. Just it is because, that note is B the same as the 2nd string open (Music playing). How did that sound? Yes, good. Sounds good to me too. And finally, back to the fifth fret at the 2nd string to tune the high E string (Music playing). There is a little bit flat there (Music playing). Here we go. Now this way, (Music playing) when we strum our chords, (Music playing) it is all on tune.