As a beginning player you can find out very quickly one of the most important things is one of the hardest things to do.  Tuning your instrument!  When I first started I had a pitch pipe.  The biggest problem with that is that as a beginner our ears aren’t usually developed enough to match the pitch.  As I got a little older electronic tuners started to become more affordable but I still paid over $100.00 for a very basic tuner. Today you can get a much more accurate and flexible tuner for a fraction of the price.

Here are some types of tuners and their advantages.

The Clip on Tuner ​

I love these things!  I keep one in every room that I play in as well as my guitar case.  The low cost and ease of use make these a favorite of mine.  Just clip it on the headstock of your guitar, turn it on and go.  (Pictured is the Tune Tech TT-5) 

The Pedal Tuner

Some people find the pedal tuner is a must especially if they are using other effects.  It is can just go into your pedal chain on your pedalboard.  One big advantage is that when turning it on you can mute your sound.  Most of these types of tuners have a bright display which is very useful on a dark stage. (Pictured is the Modtone Pedal Tuner MT-PT1)

​Built in Tuner

Some acoustic instruments have built in tuners.  This type of tuner is great if you aren’t using any pedals.  It is built into your instrument so it is always there!  
(Pictured on the left is the built in tuner for the Eddy Finn EF-9-CE. Pictured on the right is the built in Tuner in the Morgan Monroe Music Row series  MGV-100E)



What is the best type of tuner?  
To me it really depends on the application.  If I’m sitting at home you can bet I have a clip on tuner on my headstock and if I’m out playing with a band I have a pedal tuner on my board.  

Let us know what your favorite tuner is!
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As far as I can tell, and based on my experience, a nerd with a guitar is somehow considered hotter than someone without one.  Male or female there seems to be no exception to the rule.  I remember as a child watching Elvis gyrate with his acoustic guitar on my TV while the girls screamed and tugged at their hair. Two things seemed very clear to me.

• 1.  Chicks were cool.
  
• 2.  If I had a guitar I could get some!

Thus I started my lifelong affair with my fretted friend and its artful tapestry of chords and melodies. 

Guitars themselves have changed little over time, as a “63 Strat” doesn’t look much different than one made last year.  The same for the acoustic guitars. I could also say that about people.

I once asked a female friend of mine to explain the “guy or girl with a guitar phenomenon” and why the instrument amps up their appeal.  Her opinion made a lot of sense to me. She stated that, “Most guys and some girls don’t often show their emotions or mastery in an art, but when they play and sing, their emotions and talent are on display.”   I personally think it also shows confidence.  What is sexier than masterful, intimate, humanly and confident?  ALL People find that attractive.  Right?