Originally Posted by: sukerhatiakuMy tuning skill sucks!!! After all the winding and twisting i got myself an out-of-tune guitar... Im thinking of changing the strings... but before i do that, any tips on what to do to and what not to do??

First of all, what kind of guitar do you have- electric, steel string acoustic, nylon string? Make sure you get the proper strings for your type of guitar.

Why are you changing strings now? Are you in need of new strings, or because you think your "tuning skill sucks"? If you can't tune now, new strings wont change that. What's your method of tuning? Electronic tuner, tuning fork? There's plenty of online tuners, like here: http://www.get-tuned.com/guitar_tuner.php

You also have to be careful of the gauge (thickness of string) of the new strings you buy. If you don't want intonation nightmares, I would suggest getting the same gauge strings you are now using. If in doubt, bring the guitar with you; an experienced person should be able to eyeball the gauge within a reasonable degree.

There's plenty of methods of tuning, and I would strongly suggest you ultimately learn how to tune "manually"- meaning not by electronic means, but by using your ears. Just google "how to tune a guitar" and I'm sure you'll find different methods. I'm sure in the beginner's section of this site there's a tutorial on how to tune a guitar.

Relax. I've personally found teaching beginning players how to tune a guitar very difficult. Once you learn how to tune properly, you'll be able to tell when you're out of tune in no time. Lastly, DON'T practice with an out of tune guitar! It will really screw up you listening skills (ear training). If you get used to playing out of tune, you'll find it difficult to know when you're out of tune!