How does a tuning fork work

Have you tried tuning your guitar to a tuning fork?

Okay, a tuning fork actually looks like this:

Tuning fork.Photo Source.

Well, at the time of this writing, I still haven't tried tuning my guitar to a tuning fork. The truth is, I haven't seen anyone yet using this kind of tuning method. The local guitar stores doesn't seem to have this one on stock.

I did a little research over the Internet about how to use this thing. It's fairly simple once you are good at discerning pitches. A tuning fork only offers a single pitch tuning reference commonly known a the "A-440 Pitch".

Striking a tuning fork against your hand.Photo Source.

Here's how you do it:

1. Strike the fork against something firm, such as a tabletop or kneecap.
2. Hold it close to your ear or place the stem (or handle) — and not the tines (or fork prongs) — against something that resonates, such as a tabletop or even the top of the guitar.
3. At the same time, play an A note (the open 5th string on your guitar) and tune it to the fork’s tone.
4. Once you get your your open 5th string (A) in tune with the tuning fork’s A, you can tune every other string to that string by using the fifth-fret relative tuning method.

I am still in search for a tuning fork around. If I'll be lucky enough to find one, I'll be updating this post with a video of me using it to tune my guitar.

Stay tuned.