Because a guitar has frets, it must be tuned slightly differently depending on the (predominant) key of the song being played. (I'm referring to the standard EADGBE tuning, not specialized tunings such as the "G" tuning DGDGBD.)
For example, to my ear, the 1st (E) and 2nd (B) strings should be slightly flatter when playing a song in the key of E, and slightly sharper when playing a song in the key of D.
This issue is the same as occurs for keyboard instruments ("equal temperament"). For string instruments without frets (e.g., a violin), the player compensates with slightly altered finger placement ("just intonation"). See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_tuning/.
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Because a guitar has frets, it must be tuned slightly differently depending on the (predominant) key of the song being played. (I'm referring to the standard EADGBE tuning, not specialized tunings such as the "G" tuning DGDGBD.)
For example, to my ear, the 1st (E) and 2nd (B) strings should be slightly flatter when playing a song in the key of E, and slightly sharper when playing a song in the key of D.
This issue is the same as occurs for keyboard instruments ("equal temperament"). For string instruments without frets (e.g., a violin), the player compensates with slightly altered finger placement ("just intonation"). See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Musical_tuning/.