Guitarists of all abilities-professional and amateur-share a common problem: staying in tune. Using either the whammy bar ot hand vibrato jeopardizes the tuning, thus hindering your performance. Fortunately, there are a few simple tips to end your tuning worries.

First you need good strings, preferably the best you can get your hands on. Care must be taken in the proper stretching of newly installed strings. First, tune the strings so that they are slightly above standard tuning and considerably tight. Stretch each individual string with a string stretcher or your fingers, then tune to pitch. If you have a whammy bar, incorporate it in your stretch-tuning regimen. Repeat this process several times, playing some licks and chords in between.

Be sure your neck has proper intonation. The best way to check this is your 12th fret harmonics. They should be exactly in tune with your fretted 12th fret. If not, get it adjusted. Do it yourself or bring it to your local guitar tech. If your neck is out of alignment, you're always going to have tuning problems.

Also, get yourself a good tuner. Spend the money and buy a quality tuner such as a Peterson, Sabine, or Korg models. They're worth every cent.

There are, of course, many more involved techniques for getting a properly tuned guitar, but these are really the basic ones you need to know. A guitar should be nothing less than the ultimate conduit for your musical self-expression. Any problems in its operation can cut off this emotional flow and kill an otherwise inspired performance.

That's all folks! Keep on jammin'!