Every. Single. Time. That's the whole answer. A guitar that's a hair out of tune makes you sound bad and then makes YOU take the blame. Don't give the little liar the chance.
Guitars go out of tune constantly, and it's completely normal. Strings stretch, temperature and humidity move the wood, and just playing, especially bending, nudges them. None of it means anything is wrong.
◆ KEY IDEA
Tune before every session
New strings are the worst offenders. They stretch for days. And leaving a guitar next to a sunny window or a heater will knock it out of tune fast.
★ PRO TIP
Re-check mid-session too
I've played whole gigs slightly out of tune. Nobody died, but nobody cheered either. Every guitar drifts, even the fancy ones. Tuning's not a chore, it's the toll. Pay it, move on, make noise.
Your turn ⭐
Tune-up truths
Question 1 of 3
How often should a beginner tune?
The cheat sheet
- Tune every time you play. It's the price of sounding good.
- All guitars drift; new strings and temperature swings make it worse.
- Re-check tuning after heavy playing or bending.
- Keep the guitar away from heat, cold, and direct sun.
Common questions
Is it bad that my guitar won't stay in tune?
Usually not — all guitars drift, especially with new strings or temperature changes. If it drifts wildly within minutes, check for old strings, a badly-wound peg, or a nut slot that pinches the string.
Do expensive guitars stay in tune better?
Somewhat — better tuners, nut, and setup help. But even a great guitar needs tuning every session. Technique (winding strings neatly, stretching them in) matters as much as price.
Should I detune my guitar when I'm not playing it?
No, that's unnecessary for normal storage. Just keep it away from heat, cold, and direct sun, and tune it the next time you play.