Let's face it, playing a guitar is not rocket science. Sometimes you can learn things from musicians at odd places like the blues festival North Carolina. There are times though when even good musicians have difficulties overcoming basic guitar tuning problems. Most everyone encounters these problems at some time or another. Do not give up and do not forget to these often overlooked strategies to overcome this simple problem.

Always remember tuners are just that, tuners. They are neat and cool and wonderful to have and simple to use. Chances are that you, like most everybody else, have used one. They can help you find a note when it is being struck. Realistically though, after strumming your instrument for half an hour your strings will stretch and become a little sharp. Teach yourself to hear the note so you can start tuning by ear.

Never ever twist your strings flat. The most common string people have problems with is the G string. When tuning it, if you are a little sharp, grab the string and bend it. This takes all the looseness out. If you leave it in, the string will work flat a short time after you begin playing it. This works on all strings, so stretch them, stretch them as hard as possible.

If you have to wait any length of time before you will begin playing, always tune up a half step or so. This will help you save time in the long run so your time is not wasted. The half step will also help take out any extra slack that is left in the string.

Use whatever approach works for you. This means knowing your playing style and instrument. If it stays exactly on key after playing half an hour, leave it. If it moves a little sharp, bump it a little flat. Learn your own instrument because it is unique. Tune it for what you are playing.

Try tuning it to a particular chord. I have from time to time had problems with an F chord. Though to be honest I generally make a lazy F using my thumb to mute the low E. Due to my small fingers I mostly tune an F and bump it up just a little bit flat first. This is a specific chord tuning example.

Speaking of chords, most people believe one of the easiest to make is a D chord. It's not. If you find yourself having problems keeping your D in tune, tune for that chord and play around it. Learning to play around chords helps teach your ear to play in tune.

One of the simplest things that will give huge results is to start playing in tune. Everyone likes playing flashy like speed demons; though difficult to do this while playing in tune consistently. By making the effort to practice each day and watching how other musicians play at venues such as the blues festival North Carolina. You too can overcome any playing problems you may have.