


  • It definitely is easier to hear the correct pitch when comparing to strings when you tune by going higher until you hear the unison. – Neil Meyer Sep 16 '15 at 11:49

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The easiest way to understand this is to consider the gears connecting the tuning knobs to the strings. If you "tune up", the surfaces of the gears are in contact the entire time and cannot loosen. If you "tune down" the gears engage in the oposite direction and could leave a gap that closes due to the string tension while you play. This would cause the string to detune down. Although this is a simplification, it hopefully demonstrates the concept...


The only time I would not tune up from below is if the string had been tuned way too high already for whatever reason. In that case, after you tune the string down, it will tend to creep up a bit afterwards because of material memory. Tuning it from above will help counteract this effect.

That said, this is only really applicable to certain materials- metal strings have practically no memory, nylon strings somewhat more, and gut strings a whole lot. So the occasions when I would tune from above on a guitar are pretty limited. The best general policy, as has been said here, is to tune from below. I however do this quite often on the gut strings of my harp, and it helps considerably.


There s backlash in the gears. Poor gear meshing causes "slippage" although the teacher is correct its not strings per se but poorly machined, or fitted worm gears. You tune up and its tight "in tune" hit the string or pull the string and the tuning pole will turn. Slightly, but enough to cause it to drop out of tune. Happens all the time on cheap keys you can even feel it if there s excessive backlash. A gap on fine incremental movements if the key needs quarter turn to reach desired pitch when you know your pitch hovers at the threshold and it requires a large movement to get there. Your tuning keys are the problem! not the strings. All other things being equal such as thermal coefficients, mechanical integrity plays a major role.




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    User15507 - you may not have seen or experienced all the evidence. It is very well known and easily evidenced for yourself. Nothing to do with special priories, but all to do with the limitations of the physical world (friction, tolerances etc) – Doktor Mayhem Nov 23 '14 at 12:29

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