I get a lot out of playing along with the TEF files provided on each lesson. But sometimes when I play along with it, the difference between the computer sound and my guitar just grates on my nerves to the point I have to stop. When this happens I check my guitar tuning. If that does not work, is there any adjustment you can make in TEFview? Some days I don’t have a problem at all.
Tefview tuning options
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Hi Greg to the best of my knowledge TEFView is simply a player i.e. No editing function so no need change tuning. All the TAB TEF files you use are created in TablEdit which has a function to change the string tuning.
My guess is, and it’s only a guess, you are playing a TAB that has been created in a different tuning such as D tuning or employ’s a capo. I don’t play guitar so I am not familiar with the guitar tunings.
At the beginning of the TAB you should be able to see what the tuning is by the letters at the top left. If you have the Instrument displayed on the screen you should be able to see if a COPO has been added. Hope this helps
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@Bhive What do you mean by the difference in sound? Do you mean that the file is actually playing different frequencies, or are you talking about the timbre of the sound?
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It just sounds out of tune, so I was looking for a way to adjuct frequencies by just a decimal point somehow. I found I can change the MIDI instrument and that does make things sound different … maybe I can play with that a little more.
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The file will definitely be in tune with itself, so if it’s not matching up with your instrument, it must be that the instrument is out of tune or perhaps has an intonation issue, etc.
A lot depends on the quality of your computer sound card/speakers & headphones.
What you have to remember is your not listening to a musical instrument you are listening to a MIDI File - Musical Instrument Digital Interface is a technical standard that describes a communications protocol, digital interface, and electrical connectors that connect a wide variety of electronic musical instruments, computers, and related audio devices for playing, editing and recording music
I often tweak the Mandolin, Guitar & Bass settings of TABs I download from the BHO and other TAB Libraries. For Mandolin & Guitar I set them for Acoustic Steel Strings and always select Acoustic Bass. in TablEdit. Where I am able to save these settings.
@BanjoBen 's TAB TEF files are as good as your going to get so if they sound off tune you might care to try the TEF file in a few different computers. Bear in mind though a MIDI File will never sound perfect pitch .
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I found that changing off of Acoustic Steel String actually helped. Strangely I found it easy to play along with Church Organ. But I’m Barney Fife when it comes to being in tune.
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I use the acoustic guitar nylon patch for both mandolin and guitar!
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I did some more experimenting with TEF, so maybe y’all can explain what I did that solved my problem.
First I focused on an open note from a song in TEF. I just made that one note play over and over and I got my guitar tuner and put it on my computer speaker. The tuner correctly identified the note but it was way sharp.
So then I went into the Relative Speed… menu under Play on TEF. I played with the Tuning Fork setting. It was set to 440Hrz. I eventually adjusted to 420 Hrz. At the same time I had to adjust my tuner. I can set Hz on my tuner. I found that 440 Hz on my tuner matched 420 Hz on TEF. But I got the TEF note to be perfectly tuned with my tuner.
When I adjusted my tuner to 440 I had to retune my guitar strings. But that did the trick. My TEF and guitar sound much better together. Maybe the main problem was my settings on my tuner making my guitar out of tune? I had it set to 430 Hz. Why do the tuners have this adjustment? What should your turner be set to?
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Most tuners come set to 440 which is the current “standard” of the times.
It’s adjustable so you can tune to something else if you choose to.
I’ve accidentally changed the setting on my tuner before and wondered how my strings could have gone so far out of tune all together like that…
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Agree with Dave most tuners are set to 440. Never experience anything like what you experienced.
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