Guitar tuning and new strings...

The first step before starting to take on the guitar (at any level!) is tuning it once we figured out the strings we would like to use.  Remember to always get a brand new set before a recording session.  However, tuning is as equally important whether or not we are recording...

Here is the standard way in which we tune the guitar beginning with the 1st string:

1-E (the E that comes above middle C on a piano)
2-B
3-G
4-D
5-A
6-E

There are other tuning formats that are called alternate tuning.  They are used in order to get a songwriter out of "writer's" block.

One very useful alternate tuning that could come in handy if your vocals require a range not easy to get to is the half step down tuning.  In this type of tuning, you would tune the strings half a step below, so E becomes Eb (E flat), B becomes Bb (B flat) and so on...

Remember that if your strings are new, always stretch several times and re-tune until they have adjusted to the mechanics of your instrument.  In other words, they need to be fully stretched.

Enjoy your session!