Tuning Your Ukulele to Low G

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For some of my video lessons on Ukulele Tricks, my tenor ukulele is tuned to low G tuning, sometimes referred to as linear tuning. This means, while you and I can play along together using the same chord positions, the overall sound comes across as slightly different.

Ukulele Tuning

In standard ukulele tuning, the top g-string of the ukulele is tuned higher than the middle two strings of the ukulele. More specifically, the top g-string is tuned to the “G” note above middle-C on a piano (learn more about standard ukulele tuning).

In low G tuning, all of the strings stay tuned the same except the top g-string is tuned down an octave to the “G” note below middle-C, as shown in the following figures:

Low G ukulele tuning

Low G tuning represented on the piano

Low G ukulele tuning on music staff

Low G tuning represented on the music staff

By tuning the top g-string down an octave, you add five additional notes to the bottom of the ukulele’s range of pitch. This produces a fuller, deeper sound to the ukulele.

Often times, people prefer the low G tuning on a tenor sized ukulele versus a soprano or concert sized (read more about ukulele sizes). You can see why a lot of ukulele players have more than one ukulele! This allows them to tune each ukulele to a different tuning.

Please note that if you want to tune your ukulele to low G tuning, you need a special low G string set for your ukulele. If you try to tune the g-string of a regular ukulele string set down an octave, you will find that the string doesn’t hold tension very well and doesn’t stay in tune. To remedy this, you need a thicker, wound low G-string.

Whenever I tune my ukulele to low G, I like to use Aquila’s low G string set. You can buy a pack online depending if you have a soprano, concert, or tenor sized ukulele (links take you to product pages on Amazon for Aquila low G strings).

To tune up your low G string set, use a chromatic tuner (I recommend it), or use the “low G” setting on my free ukulele tuner tool.

If you run into any problems tuning your ukulele to low G, just post your comment below! I’d love to help.

How the Ukulele Strumming Tricks Video Course Makes You a Better Ukulele Player

If you feel like you've hit a wall with your ukulele playing, you're in luck.

With online ukulele lessons, you're able to learn how to play the ukulele from the comfort of your own home. However, as you've probably found, it can be hard to know where to start.

As you'll see in a moment, the Ukulele Strumming Tricks video lesson course is more than just a couple of lessons that were thrown together. It's a step-by-step, comprehensive course that gives you a complete roadmap towards ukulele success.

Let's take a look at how the Ukulele Strumming Tricks course is organized to take your playing to the next level…

6 Comments

  1. Harry

    I have a solid KOA Kanilea Concert tuned Low G Aquila strings and a solid Rosewood with Spanish cedar top Ohana Concert tuned high G Aquila strings.

  2. Richard

    Brett –

    I like your site very much. I will buy the Aquila low G set online, but I wanted to tune to low G right away and my local shop did not have a low G set. I discovered that a classical guitar D or 4th string cut to length works really well with the rest of the Aquila standard set for my soprano uke. It works for Tenor as well. Cheers, Richard

  3. Dave

    Brett,

    Nice site!

    Have you ever tried the Aquila Red Series string for a low G? Makes a great combination with standard Aquila strings without the tonal difference a wound low G string. I really like it.

    http://www.aquilacorde.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=96&Itemid=265&lang=en

    Regards.

    • Brett McQueen

      The red series looks really cool. What a great idea! I haven’t tried these yet. Would love to eventually.

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