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[RedWarrior0]

I recently got a guitar for Christmas, wanting to learn how to play. I know, for the most part, how to tune it. There is one problem, though: I think I'm very slightly tone deaf (Think lightly impaired) and once I get a string close but not quite tuned, it's very difficult for me to figure out whether it's a little higher than it's supposed to be or a little lower, and I'd rather not spend money on a digital tuner. Anybody have suggestions on figuring it out?

[Creamcorn]

You could always find someone around or heck ask everyone around if the guitar sounds in tune.

By the way, what are you using to tune your guitar?

[Blacken]

Acoustic or electric? I tune my Strat through my laptop's line-in.

[RedWarrior0]

I'm doing it by ear. I compare it to the same note on the previous string (i.e. I play the A string and the fifth fret on the E string, and tune until they sound close).

The only person around right now is my dad, and I've asked him but still can't get it good.

Also, Acoustic

[Paliman]

I'll admit that a digital tuner greatly simplifies the process.  Since you're on acoustic, the best route for that is one of the digital tuners that clamp onto the head of the guitar.  Very easy to use, but when I bought one about 5 years ago, it ran me $60 I think.  My model is an Intellitouch Tuner.

Putting that aside though, the best way I've found to tune by ear is what's called "harmonic tuning" (A couple good tutorials at http://everything2.com/title/How+to+tune+a+guitar and http://www.morphis.com/articles/harmonics-tuning/ )
Basically, you'll put your finger over the 5th fret on your low E string, which should sound like the E two octaves above.  That should match the harmonic on the 7th fret of your A string.  Since it's a higher pitch, it's easier to hear the "beats" if they're not in tune with each other.  You can do those same two frets until you hit the B string.  The B string open should match with the 7th fret harmonic on your low E string.

It's a little tough to explain, but I think you have the right start with what you're doing.  Learning to play the harmonics instead is the only real trick.  I hope that helps, and enjoy playing!

(Interesting that I joined this forum after 6 months so I could provide guitar advice, nothing related to DF ;-) )

[RedWarrior0]

While that helps quite a bit, the real trouble is distinguishing between a slightly high note and a slightly low note. Thanks, though.

[Heron TSG]

Put a tooth on the guitar while plucking. It'll help you hear better.

[Blacken]

Honestly, if you're playing by yourself, it doesn't matter if you're perfectly in tune so long as you're close. It's only when everybody's trying to play together that perfect pitch matters.

Pretty much everybody I know uses a digital tuner. The ones who say they can tune by ear often cannot tune as accurately as a digital tuner. It's better at it than a human is; it's silly not to get one if you're serious about playing.