Why is my D string showing a C♯ on my tuner?











up vote
11
down vote

favorite












I was playing for a bit and didn't tune any string, but when I wanted to tune it in at the end of my session my tuner kept saying C♯ instead of D. How do I get my D string back to its original state?










share|improve this question




















  • 7




    Are you a beginner? The is a bit confusing, there's not enough data to answer. Why do you think the guitar was in tune in the first place? To answer directly turn the tuning peg until the tuner reads D. Some times the tuning can slip overall and go flat depending on the guitar.
    – ggcg
    Dec 9 at 13:48






  • 22




    It's advisable to tune the guitar you play at the beginning of a session, not at the end! Also, it's good to have other ways to check tuning - 5th fret against next string open, harmonics, just listening...
    – Tim
    Dec 9 at 16:43






  • 6




    @Tim From my experience, it takes a long time for beginners to even notice when a guitar isn't tuned properly. It takes even longer to be able to tune it by ear. Sure, it's very desireable but it's also very hard.
    – Eric Duminil
    Dec 9 at 17:50






  • 8




    @EricDuminil - it does really need to be one of the first skills learned. Hard or not, it's essential. And relying on tuners - don't get me started.
    – Tim
    Dec 9 at 19:19






  • 9




    @Tim. I get your point. My hearing was so bad I simply couldn't tune anything by ear. Having a tuner allowed me to hear a well-tuned guitar right from the start. And only after hearing a well tuned guitar for a few years could I begin to have a better hearing and start tuning my guitar by ear. If tuning by ear is the first skill to learn, I wouldn't have played guitar for a long time, or even at all. What's your method for people with helplessly bad hearing?
    – Eric Duminil
    Dec 9 at 20:38

















up vote
11
down vote

favorite












I was playing for a bit and didn't tune any string, but when I wanted to tune it in at the end of my session my tuner kept saying C♯ instead of D. How do I get my D string back to its original state?










share|improve this question




















  • 7




    Are you a beginner? The is a bit confusing, there's not enough data to answer. Why do you think the guitar was in tune in the first place? To answer directly turn the tuning peg until the tuner reads D. Some times the tuning can slip overall and go flat depending on the guitar.
    – ggcg
    Dec 9 at 13:48






  • 22




    It's advisable to tune the guitar you play at the beginning of a session, not at the end! Also, it's good to have other ways to check tuning - 5th fret against next string open, harmonics, just listening...
    – Tim
    Dec 9 at 16:43






  • 6




    @Tim From my experience, it takes a long time for beginners to even notice when a guitar isn't tuned properly. It takes even longer to be able to tune it by ear. Sure, it's very desireable but it's also very hard.
    – Eric Duminil
    Dec 9 at 17:50






  • 8




    @EricDuminil - it does really need to be one of the first skills learned. Hard or not, it's essential. And relying on tuners - don't get me started.
    – Tim
    Dec 9 at 19:19






  • 9




    @Tim. I get your point. My hearing was so bad I simply couldn't tune anything by ear. Having a tuner allowed me to hear a well-tuned guitar right from the start. And only after hearing a well tuned guitar for a few years could I begin to have a better hearing and start tuning my guitar by ear. If tuning by ear is the first skill to learn, I wouldn't have played guitar for a long time, or even at all. What's your method for people with helplessly bad hearing?
    – Eric Duminil
    Dec 9 at 20:38















up vote
11
down vote

favorite









up vote
11
down vote

favorite











I was playing for a bit and didn't tune any string, but when I wanted to tune it in at the end of my session my tuner kept saying C♯ instead of D. How do I get my D string back to its original state?










share|improve this question















I was playing for a bit and didn't tune any string, but when I wanted to tune it in at the end of my session my tuner kept saying C♯ instead of D. How do I get my D string back to its original state?







guitar tuning






share|improve this question















share|improve this question













share|improve this question




share|improve this question








edited Dec 11 at 0:57









Peter Mortensen

1446




1446










asked Dec 9 at 13:29









Ettiene

6213




6213








  • 7




    Are you a beginner? The is a bit confusing, there's not enough data to answer. Why do you think the guitar was in tune in the first place? To answer directly turn the tuning peg until the tuner reads D. Some times the tuning can slip overall and go flat depending on the guitar.
    – ggcg
    Dec 9 at 13:48






  • 22




    It's advisable to tune the guitar you play at the beginning of a session, not at the end! Also, it's good to have other ways to check tuning - 5th fret against next string open, harmonics, just listening...
    – Tim
    Dec 9 at 16:43






  • 6




    @Tim From my experience, it takes a long time for beginners to even notice when a guitar isn't tuned properly. It takes even longer to be able to tune it by ear. Sure, it's very desireable but it's also very hard.
    – Eric Duminil
    Dec 9 at 17:50






  • 8




    @EricDuminil - it does really need to be one of the first skills learned. Hard or not, it's essential. And relying on tuners - don't get me started.
    – Tim
    Dec 9 at 19:19






  • 9




    @Tim. I get your point. My hearing was so bad I simply couldn't tune anything by ear. Having a tuner allowed me to hear a well-tuned guitar right from the start. And only after hearing a well tuned guitar for a few years could I begin to have a better hearing and start tuning my guitar by ear. If tuning by ear is the first skill to learn, I wouldn't have played guitar for a long time, or even at all. What's your method for people with helplessly bad hearing?
    – Eric Duminil
    Dec 9 at 20:38
















  • 7




    Are you a beginner? The is a bit confusing, there's not enough data to answer. Why do you think the guitar was in tune in the first place? To answer directly turn the tuning peg until the tuner reads D. Some times the tuning can slip overall and go flat depending on the guitar.
    – ggcg
    Dec 9 at 13:48






  • 22




    It's advisable to tune the guitar you play at the beginning of a session, not at the end! Also, it's good to have other ways to check tuning - 5th fret against next string open, harmonics, just listening...
    – Tim
    Dec 9 at 16:43






  • 6




    @Tim From my experience, it takes a long time for beginners to even notice when a guitar isn't tuned properly. It takes even longer to be able to tune it by ear. Sure, it's very desireable but it's also very hard.
    – Eric Duminil
    Dec 9 at 17:50






  • 8




    @EricDuminil - it does really need to be one of the first skills learned. Hard or not, it's essential. And relying on tuners - don't get me started.
    – Tim
    Dec 9 at 19:19






  • 9




    @Tim. I get your point. My hearing was so bad I simply couldn't tune anything by ear. Having a tuner allowed me to hear a well-tuned guitar right from the start. And only after hearing a well tuned guitar for a few years could I begin to have a better hearing and start tuning my guitar by ear. If tuning by ear is the first skill to learn, I wouldn't have played guitar for a long time, or even at all. What's your method for people with helplessly bad hearing?
    – Eric Duminil
    Dec 9 at 20:38










7




7




Are you a beginner? The is a bit confusing, there's not enough data to answer. Why do you think the guitar was in tune in the first place? To answer directly turn the tuning peg until the tuner reads D. Some times the tuning can slip overall and go flat depending on the guitar.
– ggcg
Dec 9 at 13:48




Are you a beginner? The is a bit confusing, there's not enough data to answer. Why do you think the guitar was in tune in the first place? To answer directly turn the tuning peg until the tuner reads D. Some times the tuning can slip overall and go flat depending on the guitar.
– ggcg
Dec 9 at 13:48




22




22




It's advisable to tune the guitar you play at the beginning of a session, not at the end! Also, it's good to have other ways to check tuning - 5th fret against next string open, harmonics, just listening...
– Tim
Dec 9 at 16:43




It's advisable to tune the guitar you play at the beginning of a session, not at the end! Also, it's good to have other ways to check tuning - 5th fret against next string open, harmonics, just listening...
– Tim
Dec 9 at 16:43




6




6




@Tim From my experience, it takes a long time for beginners to even notice when a guitar isn't tuned properly. It takes even longer to be able to tune it by ear. Sure, it's very desireable but it's also very hard.
– Eric Duminil
Dec 9 at 17:50




@Tim From my experience, it takes a long time for beginners to even notice when a guitar isn't tuned properly. It takes even longer to be able to tune it by ear. Sure, it's very desireable but it's also very hard.
– Eric Duminil
Dec 9 at 17:50




8




8




@EricDuminil - it does really need to be one of the first skills learned. Hard or not, it's essential. And relying on tuners - don't get me started.
– Tim
Dec 9 at 19:19




@EricDuminil - it does really need to be one of the first skills learned. Hard or not, it's essential. And relying on tuners - don't get me started.
– Tim
Dec 9 at 19:19




9




9




@Tim. I get your point. My hearing was so bad I simply couldn't tune anything by ear. Having a tuner allowed me to hear a well-tuned guitar right from the start. And only after hearing a well tuned guitar for a few years could I begin to have a better hearing and start tuning my guitar by ear. If tuning by ear is the first skill to learn, I wouldn't have played guitar for a long time, or even at all. What's your method for people with helplessly bad hearing?
– Eric Duminil
Dec 9 at 20:38






@Tim. I get your point. My hearing was so bad I simply couldn't tune anything by ear. Having a tuner allowed me to hear a well-tuned guitar right from the start. And only after hearing a well tuned guitar for a few years could I begin to have a better hearing and start tuning my guitar by ear. If tuning by ear is the first skill to learn, I wouldn't have played guitar for a long time, or even at all. What's your method for people with helplessly bad hearing?
– Eric Duminil
Dec 9 at 20:38












2 Answers
2






active

oldest

votes

















up vote
60
down vote













The tuner does not hear what pitch your string is supposed to be at but only what pitch it actually is. If your string is more than a quartertone flat, it is closer to a C♯ than to a D. So your tuner then displays what kind of C♯ it thinks your pitch is. Presumably a somewhat high one (assuming you are not more than a semitone flat). So tune upwards. At some point of time your tuner is going to switch from claiming "too high for a C♯" to "too low for a D". Then go further until the tuner is satisfied with the pitch being D.






share|improve this answer

















  • 10




    This is the correct answer. To add one thing: new strings will stretch the first few times you play them. This will cause the string to go flat a bit. If you are using a guitar with new strings it is normal for them to go flat. If you are using a guitar with old strings it is possible they are strung incorrectly. Of course there is also the possibility that your D was closer to a c# when you started.
    – b3ko
    Dec 9 at 15:28






  • 2




    Another twist: some tuners also have a "guitar" mode which doesn't always display the actual pitch. I don't know what that's about, except that I tried once to use one of dad's tuners, set to guitar mode, on my banjo and the results were nonsensical to me until I figured out to put the tuner in "chromatic" mode.
    – Wayne Conrad
    Dec 9 at 20:23






  • 3




    This answer is right, but I would generally advise caution for beginners when tuning strings up. Only do it when you're sure the string is actually too low. If it shows C♯ it almost certainly is too low, but sometimes a tuner may show garbage when the string is already a lot too high. In doubt, one should always compare with an absolute reference (other guitar, perhaps “guitar tuning reference” video on the internet).
    – leftaroundabout
    Dec 9 at 23:53








  • 1




    @ Wayne Conrad - I suspect that guitar mode is specially designed to detect the precise pitches of a standard-tuned guitar. If your banjo plays the right note but the wrong octave it will confuse a guitar-only tuner. (or if your string is supposed to be tuned to C on the banjo, a guitar-tuner will try to send you towards the nearest guitar pitch which is a D). I believe you can also get a specialist bass-guitar tuner. The advantage presumably is to stop you going towards the wrong octave which is easy for a beginner to do.
    – chasly from UK
    Dec 10 at 12:30








  • 1




    I had a student arrive for a lesson, having 'tuned up' his guitar - with a tuner. The bottom E was in tune, but an octave too high. No, I couldn't believe it either, but it's true. One little reason I recommend trying other tuning methods as well. And if a learner can't tell if the guitar's in tune, how's he going to know if what he's playing is in tune...?
    – Tim
    Dec 10 at 15:36


















up vote
3
down vote













Either:



The tuner is buggered: get a new tuner.



Or:



The string is too loose: tighten the string.






share|improve this answer










New contributor




John Lawrence Aspden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
Check out our Code of Conduct.


















    Your Answer








    StackExchange.ready(function() {
    var channelOptions = {
    tags: "".split(" "),
    id: "240"
    };
    initTagRenderer("".split(" "), "".split(" "), channelOptions);

    StackExchange.using("externalEditor", function() {
    // Have to fire editor after snippets, if snippets enabled
    if (StackExchange.settings.snippets.snippetsEnabled) {
    StackExchange.using("snippets", function() {
    createEditor();
    });
    }
    else {
    createEditor();
    }
    });

    function createEditor() {
    StackExchange.prepareEditor({
    heartbeatType: 'answer',
    convertImagesToLinks: false,
    noModals: true,
    showLowRepImageUploadWarning: true,
    reputationToPostImages: null,
    bindNavPrevention: true,
    postfix: "",
    imageUploader: {
    brandingHtml: "Powered by u003ca class="icon-imgur-white" href="https://imgur.com/"u003eu003c/au003e",
    contentPolicyHtml: "User contributions licensed under u003ca href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/"u003ecc by-sa 3.0 with attribution requiredu003c/au003e u003ca href="https://stackoverflow.com/legal/content-policy"u003e(content policy)u003c/au003e",
    allowUrls: true
    },
    noCode: true, onDemand: true,
    discardSelector: ".discard-answer"
    ,immediatelyShowMarkdownHelp:true
    });


    }
    });














    draft saved

    draft discarded


















    StackExchange.ready(
    function () {
    StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmusic.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f77301%2fwhy-is-my-d-string-showing-a-c%25e2%2599%25af-on-my-tuner%23new-answer', 'question_page');
    }
    );

    Post as a guest















    Required, but never shown

























    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes








    2 Answers
    2






    active

    oldest

    votes









    active

    oldest

    votes






    active

    oldest

    votes








    up vote
    60
    down vote













    The tuner does not hear what pitch your string is supposed to be at but only what pitch it actually is. If your string is more than a quartertone flat, it is closer to a C♯ than to a D. So your tuner then displays what kind of C♯ it thinks your pitch is. Presumably a somewhat high one (assuming you are not more than a semitone flat). So tune upwards. At some point of time your tuner is going to switch from claiming "too high for a C♯" to "too low for a D". Then go further until the tuner is satisfied with the pitch being D.






    share|improve this answer

















    • 10




      This is the correct answer. To add one thing: new strings will stretch the first few times you play them. This will cause the string to go flat a bit. If you are using a guitar with new strings it is normal for them to go flat. If you are using a guitar with old strings it is possible they are strung incorrectly. Of course there is also the possibility that your D was closer to a c# when you started.
      – b3ko
      Dec 9 at 15:28






    • 2




      Another twist: some tuners also have a "guitar" mode which doesn't always display the actual pitch. I don't know what that's about, except that I tried once to use one of dad's tuners, set to guitar mode, on my banjo and the results were nonsensical to me until I figured out to put the tuner in "chromatic" mode.
      – Wayne Conrad
      Dec 9 at 20:23






    • 3




      This answer is right, but I would generally advise caution for beginners when tuning strings up. Only do it when you're sure the string is actually too low. If it shows C♯ it almost certainly is too low, but sometimes a tuner may show garbage when the string is already a lot too high. In doubt, one should always compare with an absolute reference (other guitar, perhaps “guitar tuning reference” video on the internet).
      – leftaroundabout
      Dec 9 at 23:53








    • 1




      @ Wayne Conrad - I suspect that guitar mode is specially designed to detect the precise pitches of a standard-tuned guitar. If your banjo plays the right note but the wrong octave it will confuse a guitar-only tuner. (or if your string is supposed to be tuned to C on the banjo, a guitar-tuner will try to send you towards the nearest guitar pitch which is a D). I believe you can also get a specialist bass-guitar tuner. The advantage presumably is to stop you going towards the wrong octave which is easy for a beginner to do.
      – chasly from UK
      Dec 10 at 12:30








    • 1




      I had a student arrive for a lesson, having 'tuned up' his guitar - with a tuner. The bottom E was in tune, but an octave too high. No, I couldn't believe it either, but it's true. One little reason I recommend trying other tuning methods as well. And if a learner can't tell if the guitar's in tune, how's he going to know if what he's playing is in tune...?
      – Tim
      Dec 10 at 15:36















    up vote
    60
    down vote













    The tuner does not hear what pitch your string is supposed to be at but only what pitch it actually is. If your string is more than a quartertone flat, it is closer to a C♯ than to a D. So your tuner then displays what kind of C♯ it thinks your pitch is. Presumably a somewhat high one (assuming you are not more than a semitone flat). So tune upwards. At some point of time your tuner is going to switch from claiming "too high for a C♯" to "too low for a D". Then go further until the tuner is satisfied with the pitch being D.






    share|improve this answer

















    • 10




      This is the correct answer. To add one thing: new strings will stretch the first few times you play them. This will cause the string to go flat a bit. If you are using a guitar with new strings it is normal for them to go flat. If you are using a guitar with old strings it is possible they are strung incorrectly. Of course there is also the possibility that your D was closer to a c# when you started.
      – b3ko
      Dec 9 at 15:28






    • 2




      Another twist: some tuners also have a "guitar" mode which doesn't always display the actual pitch. I don't know what that's about, except that I tried once to use one of dad's tuners, set to guitar mode, on my banjo and the results were nonsensical to me until I figured out to put the tuner in "chromatic" mode.
      – Wayne Conrad
      Dec 9 at 20:23






    • 3




      This answer is right, but I would generally advise caution for beginners when tuning strings up. Only do it when you're sure the string is actually too low. If it shows C♯ it almost certainly is too low, but sometimes a tuner may show garbage when the string is already a lot too high. In doubt, one should always compare with an absolute reference (other guitar, perhaps “guitar tuning reference” video on the internet).
      – leftaroundabout
      Dec 9 at 23:53








    • 1




      @ Wayne Conrad - I suspect that guitar mode is specially designed to detect the precise pitches of a standard-tuned guitar. If your banjo plays the right note but the wrong octave it will confuse a guitar-only tuner. (or if your string is supposed to be tuned to C on the banjo, a guitar-tuner will try to send you towards the nearest guitar pitch which is a D). I believe you can also get a specialist bass-guitar tuner. The advantage presumably is to stop you going towards the wrong octave which is easy for a beginner to do.
      – chasly from UK
      Dec 10 at 12:30








    • 1




      I had a student arrive for a lesson, having 'tuned up' his guitar - with a tuner. The bottom E was in tune, but an octave too high. No, I couldn't believe it either, but it's true. One little reason I recommend trying other tuning methods as well. And if a learner can't tell if the guitar's in tune, how's he going to know if what he's playing is in tune...?
      – Tim
      Dec 10 at 15:36













    up vote
    60
    down vote










    up vote
    60
    down vote









    The tuner does not hear what pitch your string is supposed to be at but only what pitch it actually is. If your string is more than a quartertone flat, it is closer to a C♯ than to a D. So your tuner then displays what kind of C♯ it thinks your pitch is. Presumably a somewhat high one (assuming you are not more than a semitone flat). So tune upwards. At some point of time your tuner is going to switch from claiming "too high for a C♯" to "too low for a D". Then go further until the tuner is satisfied with the pitch being D.






    share|improve this answer












    The tuner does not hear what pitch your string is supposed to be at but only what pitch it actually is. If your string is more than a quartertone flat, it is closer to a C♯ than to a D. So your tuner then displays what kind of C♯ it thinks your pitch is. Presumably a somewhat high one (assuming you are not more than a semitone flat). So tune upwards. At some point of time your tuner is going to switch from claiming "too high for a C♯" to "too low for a D". Then go further until the tuner is satisfied with the pitch being D.







    share|improve this answer












    share|improve this answer



    share|improve this answer










    answered Dec 9 at 14:32









    user54824

    43113




    43113








    • 10




      This is the correct answer. To add one thing: new strings will stretch the first few times you play them. This will cause the string to go flat a bit. If you are using a guitar with new strings it is normal for them to go flat. If you are using a guitar with old strings it is possible they are strung incorrectly. Of course there is also the possibility that your D was closer to a c# when you started.
      – b3ko
      Dec 9 at 15:28






    • 2




      Another twist: some tuners also have a "guitar" mode which doesn't always display the actual pitch. I don't know what that's about, except that I tried once to use one of dad's tuners, set to guitar mode, on my banjo and the results were nonsensical to me until I figured out to put the tuner in "chromatic" mode.
      – Wayne Conrad
      Dec 9 at 20:23






    • 3




      This answer is right, but I would generally advise caution for beginners when tuning strings up. Only do it when you're sure the string is actually too low. If it shows C♯ it almost certainly is too low, but sometimes a tuner may show garbage when the string is already a lot too high. In doubt, one should always compare with an absolute reference (other guitar, perhaps “guitar tuning reference” video on the internet).
      – leftaroundabout
      Dec 9 at 23:53








    • 1




      @ Wayne Conrad - I suspect that guitar mode is specially designed to detect the precise pitches of a standard-tuned guitar. If your banjo plays the right note but the wrong octave it will confuse a guitar-only tuner. (or if your string is supposed to be tuned to C on the banjo, a guitar-tuner will try to send you towards the nearest guitar pitch which is a D). I believe you can also get a specialist bass-guitar tuner. The advantage presumably is to stop you going towards the wrong octave which is easy for a beginner to do.
      – chasly from UK
      Dec 10 at 12:30








    • 1




      I had a student arrive for a lesson, having 'tuned up' his guitar - with a tuner. The bottom E was in tune, but an octave too high. No, I couldn't believe it either, but it's true. One little reason I recommend trying other tuning methods as well. And if a learner can't tell if the guitar's in tune, how's he going to know if what he's playing is in tune...?
      – Tim
      Dec 10 at 15:36














    • 10




      This is the correct answer. To add one thing: new strings will stretch the first few times you play them. This will cause the string to go flat a bit. If you are using a guitar with new strings it is normal for them to go flat. If you are using a guitar with old strings it is possible they are strung incorrectly. Of course there is also the possibility that your D was closer to a c# when you started.
      – b3ko
      Dec 9 at 15:28






    • 2




      Another twist: some tuners also have a "guitar" mode which doesn't always display the actual pitch. I don't know what that's about, except that I tried once to use one of dad's tuners, set to guitar mode, on my banjo and the results were nonsensical to me until I figured out to put the tuner in "chromatic" mode.
      – Wayne Conrad
      Dec 9 at 20:23






    • 3




      This answer is right, but I would generally advise caution for beginners when tuning strings up. Only do it when you're sure the string is actually too low. If it shows C♯ it almost certainly is too low, but sometimes a tuner may show garbage when the string is already a lot too high. In doubt, one should always compare with an absolute reference (other guitar, perhaps “guitar tuning reference” video on the internet).
      – leftaroundabout
      Dec 9 at 23:53








    • 1




      @ Wayne Conrad - I suspect that guitar mode is specially designed to detect the precise pitches of a standard-tuned guitar. If your banjo plays the right note but the wrong octave it will confuse a guitar-only tuner. (or if your string is supposed to be tuned to C on the banjo, a guitar-tuner will try to send you towards the nearest guitar pitch which is a D). I believe you can also get a specialist bass-guitar tuner. The advantage presumably is to stop you going towards the wrong octave which is easy for a beginner to do.
      – chasly from UK
      Dec 10 at 12:30








    • 1




      I had a student arrive for a lesson, having 'tuned up' his guitar - with a tuner. The bottom E was in tune, but an octave too high. No, I couldn't believe it either, but it's true. One little reason I recommend trying other tuning methods as well. And if a learner can't tell if the guitar's in tune, how's he going to know if what he's playing is in tune...?
      – Tim
      Dec 10 at 15:36








    10




    10




    This is the correct answer. To add one thing: new strings will stretch the first few times you play them. This will cause the string to go flat a bit. If you are using a guitar with new strings it is normal for them to go flat. If you are using a guitar with old strings it is possible they are strung incorrectly. Of course there is also the possibility that your D was closer to a c# when you started.
    – b3ko
    Dec 9 at 15:28




    This is the correct answer. To add one thing: new strings will stretch the first few times you play them. This will cause the string to go flat a bit. If you are using a guitar with new strings it is normal for them to go flat. If you are using a guitar with old strings it is possible they are strung incorrectly. Of course there is also the possibility that your D was closer to a c# when you started.
    – b3ko
    Dec 9 at 15:28




    2




    2




    Another twist: some tuners also have a "guitar" mode which doesn't always display the actual pitch. I don't know what that's about, except that I tried once to use one of dad's tuners, set to guitar mode, on my banjo and the results were nonsensical to me until I figured out to put the tuner in "chromatic" mode.
    – Wayne Conrad
    Dec 9 at 20:23




    Another twist: some tuners also have a "guitar" mode which doesn't always display the actual pitch. I don't know what that's about, except that I tried once to use one of dad's tuners, set to guitar mode, on my banjo and the results were nonsensical to me until I figured out to put the tuner in "chromatic" mode.
    – Wayne Conrad
    Dec 9 at 20:23




    3




    3




    This answer is right, but I would generally advise caution for beginners when tuning strings up. Only do it when you're sure the string is actually too low. If it shows C♯ it almost certainly is too low, but sometimes a tuner may show garbage when the string is already a lot too high. In doubt, one should always compare with an absolute reference (other guitar, perhaps “guitar tuning reference” video on the internet).
    – leftaroundabout
    Dec 9 at 23:53






    This answer is right, but I would generally advise caution for beginners when tuning strings up. Only do it when you're sure the string is actually too low. If it shows C♯ it almost certainly is too low, but sometimes a tuner may show garbage when the string is already a lot too high. In doubt, one should always compare with an absolute reference (other guitar, perhaps “guitar tuning reference” video on the internet).
    – leftaroundabout
    Dec 9 at 23:53






    1




    1




    @ Wayne Conrad - I suspect that guitar mode is specially designed to detect the precise pitches of a standard-tuned guitar. If your banjo plays the right note but the wrong octave it will confuse a guitar-only tuner. (or if your string is supposed to be tuned to C on the banjo, a guitar-tuner will try to send you towards the nearest guitar pitch which is a D). I believe you can also get a specialist bass-guitar tuner. The advantage presumably is to stop you going towards the wrong octave which is easy for a beginner to do.
    – chasly from UK
    Dec 10 at 12:30






    @ Wayne Conrad - I suspect that guitar mode is specially designed to detect the precise pitches of a standard-tuned guitar. If your banjo plays the right note but the wrong octave it will confuse a guitar-only tuner. (or if your string is supposed to be tuned to C on the banjo, a guitar-tuner will try to send you towards the nearest guitar pitch which is a D). I believe you can also get a specialist bass-guitar tuner. The advantage presumably is to stop you going towards the wrong octave which is easy for a beginner to do.
    – chasly from UK
    Dec 10 at 12:30






    1




    1




    I had a student arrive for a lesson, having 'tuned up' his guitar - with a tuner. The bottom E was in tune, but an octave too high. No, I couldn't believe it either, but it's true. One little reason I recommend trying other tuning methods as well. And if a learner can't tell if the guitar's in tune, how's he going to know if what he's playing is in tune...?
    – Tim
    Dec 10 at 15:36




    I had a student arrive for a lesson, having 'tuned up' his guitar - with a tuner. The bottom E was in tune, but an octave too high. No, I couldn't believe it either, but it's true. One little reason I recommend trying other tuning methods as well. And if a learner can't tell if the guitar's in tune, how's he going to know if what he's playing is in tune...?
    – Tim
    Dec 10 at 15:36










    up vote
    3
    down vote













    Either:



    The tuner is buggered: get a new tuner.



    Or:



    The string is too loose: tighten the string.






    share|improve this answer










    New contributor




    John Lawrence Aspden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
    Check out our Code of Conduct.






















      up vote
      3
      down vote













      Either:



      The tuner is buggered: get a new tuner.



      Or:



      The string is too loose: tighten the string.






      share|improve this answer










      New contributor




      John Lawrence Aspden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
      Check out our Code of Conduct.




















        up vote
        3
        down vote










        up vote
        3
        down vote









        Either:



        The tuner is buggered: get a new tuner.



        Or:



        The string is too loose: tighten the string.






        share|improve this answer










        New contributor




        John Lawrence Aspden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        Either:



        The tuner is buggered: get a new tuner.



        Or:



        The string is too loose: tighten the string.







        share|improve this answer










        New contributor




        John Lawrence Aspden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        share|improve this answer



        share|improve this answer








        edited Dec 11 at 0:57









        Peter Mortensen

        1446




        1446






        New contributor




        John Lawrence Aspden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.









        answered Dec 10 at 21:08









        John Lawrence Aspden

        1313




        1313




        New contributor




        John Lawrence Aspden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.





        New contributor





        John Lawrence Aspden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






        John Lawrence Aspden is a new contributor to this site. Take care in asking for clarification, commenting, and answering.
        Check out our Code of Conduct.






























            draft saved

            draft discarded




















































            Thanks for contributing an answer to Music: Practice & Theory Stack Exchange!


            • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

            But avoid



            • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

            • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


            To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.





            Some of your past answers have not been well-received, and you're in danger of being blocked from answering.


            Please pay close attention to the following guidance:


            • Please be sure to answer the question. Provide details and share your research!

            But avoid



            • Asking for help, clarification, or responding to other answers.

            • Making statements based on opinion; back them up with references or personal experience.


            To learn more, see our tips on writing great answers.




            draft saved


            draft discarded














            StackExchange.ready(
            function () {
            StackExchange.openid.initPostLogin('.new-post-login', 'https%3a%2f%2fmusic.stackexchange.com%2fquestions%2f77301%2fwhy-is-my-d-string-showing-a-c%25e2%2599%25af-on-my-tuner%23new-answer', 'question_page');
            }
            );

            Post as a guest















            Required, but never shown





















































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown

































            Required, but never shown














            Required, but never shown












            Required, but never shown







            Required, but never shown







            Popular posts from this blog

            Сан-Квентин

            Алькесар

            Josef Freinademetz