"Why do I sound terrible" Music Troubleshooting Blog

"Every note or chord that I playing is sounding bad."

#1 Check your tuning
   

• Buy a Tuner   - You can find guitar tuners at any music store:

There are tuners that attach to the guitars headstock. The other style you can also get comes with the option of a chromatic tuner. If you get one of these, you have to pay attention and make sure that there is no flat (b) or sharp (#) beside the note that you are tuning 

• Use a Tuner App 

There are many tuner apps that you can find on your phone. In the past 10 years they have improved and can help you tune accurately. You can find many for free to tune your guitar, bass or ukulele.

• Keyboard/Tuning Key  

You can use a piano or tuning key to tune your guitar to the right notes. Using these methods you have to use your ear and try your best to tune your instrument to the note that you are hearing. This may be difficult for some people because not everyone is born with perfect hearing. Have patience and try a different method if you are not confident or want to double-check the tuning. 

• Another Guitar Player 

See if you can find someone to tune the guitar for you. They can even play and have you tune to their guitar. Make sure that their guitar is tuned or that they know what they are doing. If you're still having problems or shy, you can always go to a music store and get your guitar strings changed. They will change your strings and tune them. Ask them for help if you are still having issues. 

• Internet/Youtube

Using the internet to tune an instrument will also need you to use your ear to make sure that you are playing the same note that is being played online. Even Fender Guitar offers a free online guitar tuner at https://www.fender.com/online-guitar-tuner/


#2 If you tune and things still sound bad,
If you tune and things still sound bad, remember to be as close behind the metal
fret as you can be and press down. Do not have your finger on top of the metal fret. 


#3  **Remember** It takes time to build strength in your hands, notes, and chords. Have patience and know that you will only improve if you make time each week to practice. 


# 4 Other Reasons things may sound bad:

• Maybe something is wrong with the instrument. 

Take your instrument into a music store or repair shop and see if they can fix any buzzing or bad sounds coming from the guitar. Many things can throw off an instruments sound.

• If you are playing through an amplifier:

Check and move your treble, middle, bass, and tone controls. Gain, reverb and any knobs  on the amplifier or the guitar can make things sound a little unpleasant. Turn the tone knobs on the electric guitar as well. Listen and learn about the sounds that can be made through the guitar or amp.

• And Finally, *Don't be so hard on yourself*

Getting good at something takes time. Any improvements are good - big or small. As long as you keep progressing. Record yourself each week and see if you can hear a difference in your playing. 


If you need help, find a music teacher. We are here to help you understand how to play the instrument. We can make sure that you are improving and practicing each week.



Contact Sasha at [email protected]
for music lessons.


Find out more at https://www.6stringedstudios.ca


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