How to Keep Your Guitar From Going Out of Tune

How do you keep your guitar from going out of tune? Stretch new strings properly, wind them neatly around the tuning pegs, always tune up to pitch from below, and store your guitar somewhere with a stable temperature and humidity. If it still goes out of tune quickly after that, the problem is often worn strings, a nut that the strings catch in, or the setup. Below you read the causes, what you can do about them at home and how to keep your guitar in tune during a performance.

Summary

• Tune your guitar before every playing session and use a reliable tuner
• Stretch new strings and wind them properly around the tuning pegs
• Replace old strings in time; they hold their tuning worse
• Avoid extreme temperatures and big swings in humidity
• Use a good case or gig bag and a sturdy stand
• Check the nut, the bridge and the neck regularly
• Check your tuning between songs during a performance
• Call in a guitar tech for setup and tricky problems

Why Does a Guitar Go Out of Tune?

A guitar never goes out of tune for no reason. Usually one of these causes is involved:

• New strings still stretch during the first few days and therefore keep dropping a little in pitch.
• Temperature and humidity make wood and metal expand and contract, which changes the tension on the strings.
• Strings that are not wound properly around the post can slip.
• A nut that the strings keep catching in makes a string jump out of tune after you have tuned it.
• Worn strings or tuning machines hold tension less well.
• Your playing style: hitting hard, bending far and heavy use of the tremolo arm pull the strings out of tune.
• A crooked capo pulls the strings up a little in pitch.

Tune Your Guitar Well and Regularly

Tuning your guitar is not only a matter of bringing the strings to the right pitch, but also of developing a good ear. Choose a reliable tuner or use an app on your smartphone. How to set the reference to 440 Hz and tune string by string is covered in the article on using a guitar tuner app.

These tools help you tune accurately, but it is also valuable to learn to tune by listening to the notes. That develops your ear and your understanding of music. Also always tune up to pitch from below: if a string is too high, first lower it a little and then bring it back up. That way the tuning machine is under tension and the string is less likely to drop back.

Regular tuning remains necessary, especially before you start playing. Even if you have only been away from the guitar for a short time, it can drift out of tune. A good tuner is indispensable here. Free apps work fine to start with, but a separate chromatic tuner often responds faster and is more reliable in a noisy room. Some models also support alternate tunings, which is handy when you play with other musicians.

Putting On and Stretching New Strings Properly

Many tuning problems start right after a string change. Wind the string neatly down around the post of the tuning machine, with a few windings: for wound strings usually two to three, for the thin strings a few more. Too few windings let the string slip, while too many create slack. How to go about this step by step, you read in replacing guitar strings.

Then tune the new string to pitch and carefully pull it a short way away from the fretboard, along its whole length. Tune again and repeat this a few times until the string stays in tune. This stretches the strings right away, so you have to retune less often in the following days.

How Strings Affect Your Tuning

The strings you choose have a big influence on the tuning and the sound of your guitar. There are steel and nylon strings and various gauges, each with its own tone and feel. Thicker strings give more volume and sustain, while thinner strings are easier to play. If you play fingerstyle, strings with lower tension often feel more comfortable. If you play a lot with a pick, strings with higher tension give more clarity. If you are just starting out, this overview of which guitar strings are best for beginners will help.

Cheap strings are tempting, but quality strings sound brighter, last longer and stay in tune better. Even good strings lose their elasticity over time and then find it harder to stay in tune. If you play a lot or perform regularly, you will often replace them after just a few weeks or a few gigs. For a more relaxed playing schedule, read in this article how often you should replace guitar strings.

Check the Nut and the Tuning Machines

If you hear a tick or a short “ping” while tuning, the string is probably catching in the nut, the little slot at the top of the neck. The string then jumps later and your guitar sounds out of tune. A little graphite from a soft pencil in the slots helps the string glide smoothly. Also check that the tuning machines are firmly attached and turn smoothly. You can carefully tighten loose nuts; if the tuning machines are really worn, have them replaced.

Avoid Extreme Temperatures and Swings in Humidity

Extreme temperatures can harm your guitar and can lead to permanent damage. Wood reacts to changes in temperature and humidity: in heat it expands, in cold it shrinks. That changes the tension on the strings and therefore the tuning, and in the long run it can lead to cracks or a warped neck.

So do not leave your guitar in a car or in direct sunlight, especially on hot days. Ideally store it in a room with a constant temperature and humidity; in the article on storing your guitar at home you read which spot is suitable. If you travel often with your guitar, consider a temperature and humidity meter, so you know what conditions your instrument is in. How to deal with a room that is too dry or too humid, you read in protecting your guitar from moisture.

If you come in from outside into a warm room with your guitar, first let it come up to temperature in the case for a while before you take it out and tune it. This prevents damage to the wood, and the tuning stays more stable afterward.

Use a Good Guitar Case or Gig Bag

A good case or gig bag protects your guitar from bumps and falls, and also cushions swings in temperature and humidity. A hard case offers maximum protection and is ideal for long trips or if you take your guitar out often. Soft gig bags are lighter and easier to carry, but offer less protection against heavy blows.

Do not skimp too much here: a thin, cheap bag hardly protects anything. Choose a bag that is well padded and made of durable material. Also pay attention to the fit: your guitar should sit snugly in the case or bag without much play, so it cannot shift during transport.

Checking the Guitar Bridge and Neck

The bridge and neck of your guitar affect both the tuning and the playability. A well-adjusted bridge makes sure the strings sit at the right height above the neck. If the bridge is not set up properly, you get problems such as fret buzz or a guitar that sounds out of tune higher up the neck, even though the open strings are tuned correctly. That last one is called an intonation problem.

A warped neck also keeps the strings from running properly over the frets, which affects both the tuning and how easy the guitar is to play. Check these parts regularly. If you are unsure, leave it to a guitar tech. How often that is needed, you read in how often you should have your guitar set up.

Avoid Shocks and Bumps

Your guitar is sensitive to shocks and bumps. Even a small knock can damage the wood or the tuning machines and make the tuning jump. So be careful when you pick up or put down your guitar, especially during transport.

Do not lean your guitar against a table or amp, where it can easily fall over, but put it on a sturdy stand or hang it from a wall hanger. Choose a model that suits your type of guitar and carries the weight well. That way your guitar is always within reach and stays in top condition.

Keeping Your Guitar in Tune During a Performance

During a performance the tension can run high, and it is easy to forget to check your tuning. Yet the heat of the lights, the temperature in the venue and your own playing style can bring your guitar out of tune within a few songs. These habits keep that under control:

• Tune right before you go on stage, after your guitar has reached the temperature of the venue.
• Use a clip-on tuner or a tuner pedal, so you can retune quickly and silently. For tips on using one, read tuning with a clip-on tuner.
• Listen after every song to check that everything still sounds right, and plan a few seconds between songs to retune. That looks professional and keeps an out-of-tune song from ruining your performance.
• Put your capo on carefully: straight, right behind the fret and no tighter than necessary. A crooked or too-tight capo pulls the strings up in pitch. So check your tuning after putting it on. You can read more about this in using a capo.
• Put your guitar on a stand between sets instead of leaning it against an amp.
• Bring spare strings, and put new strings on a few days before the performance so they are already stretched. What to do if a string breaks anyway, you read in what to do when a string breaks during a performance.

Good tuning is part of good preparation. How to prepare the rest of your performance, you read in how to prepare for a guitar performance.

The Importance of Regular Maintenance

Just like a car, your guitar needs regular attention to stay in top condition. Think of cleaning the strings and the neck, checking the electronics (if applicable) and adjusting the bridge and neck. That keeps small problems from growing into bigger, costly repairs.

A well-cared-for guitar sounds better, plays more comfortably and stays in tune better. That makes a big difference to your playing experience and even to your motivation to practice. Set up a simple maintenance schedule and stick to it.

Calling in a Professional Guitar Tech

Sometimes a guitar tech is the best option for maintenance and setup. An experienced tech has the knowledge and the tools to tackle problems effectively, whether it is adjusting the neck, replacing a nut or tuning machines, or solving electronic problems.

A tech can also give you tips on how to take better care of your instrument yourself, from maintenance advice to strings that suit your playing style. From regular tuning to avoiding extreme temperatures: every detail counts if you want your guitar to sound good and stay in tune.

Frequently asked questions about a guitar that goes out of tune

What causes a guitar to go out of tune?

Possible causes are new strings that are still stretching, changes in temperature and humidity, strings that are not wound properly around the tuning pegs, a nut in which the strings catch, worn tuning machines and use of the tremolo arm.

How often should I tune my guitar to prevent it from going out of tune?

It is recommended to tune your guitar before every playing session, especially if you notice the strings go out of tune quickly. How to get each string quickly to the right pitch, you read in the explanation on tuning your guitar with a tuner.

What are some tips to prevent my guitar from going out of tune?

Use good-quality tuning machines, avoid extreme changes in temperature and humidity, replace old strings in time, stretch new strings properly and use the tremolo arm sparingly.

Is it normal for a guitar to go out of tune over time?

Yes, it is normal for a guitar to go out of tune over time because of playing, temperature changes and string stretch. Regular tuning is therefore necessary to keep the guitar in tune.

How do you keep your guitar from going out of tune during a performance?

Tune your guitar carefully before the performance with a tuner, check that the strings are in good condition and that the nut and bridge are set up properly. Retune between songs during the performance, preferably with a clip-on tuner, and avoid big temperature differences. Check the tuning afterward and store your guitar in a case or gig bag.

Why does my guitar go out of tune so quickly with new strings?

New strings still stretch during the first few days, so they keep dropping a little. After putting them on, stretch them carefully a few times and retune; after a few playing sessions they stay in tune much better.

My open strings are in tune, but chords higher up the neck sound off. How come?

Then there is probably something wrong with the intonation: the length of the strings does not exactly match the position of the frets. You adjust that at the bridge. Pressing too hard can also make notes sound slightly sharp. If the problem persists, have the guitar set up by a guitar tech.