photo by kinetic
Not sure how to tune your ukulele up? In this lesson, we’re going to learn all about ukulele tuning, including:
You always want to make sure your ukulele is tuned up before you start playing. If you don’t, it’s going to sound really bad for your listeners.
Different ukuleles will hold their tuning better than others, so it’s always a good idea to check it every time you play. There is nothing worse than playing an out of tune ukulele. Fortunately, it’s not terribly difficult to tune your uke up.
Standard Ukulele Tuning
This is the most common ukulele tuning. Soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles are tuned in standard tuning, sometimes referred to as “C tuning.”
In the picture above, you see the notes of each string. The top string or fourth string of the ukulele is tuned to a G. The third string is tuned to a C. The second string is tuned to an E. The bottom, or first string, is tuned to an A.
This most common way of tuning a ukulele is seen on the musical staff:
Or on the piano keys:
Some people also use the opening line of the song My Dog Has Fleas to remember how to tune a ukulele since that line is identical to how a ukulele is tuned.
Standard Tuning: Reentrant vs. Linear
It’s worth noting that the G string is commonly tuned to the G note above the C and E strings (reentrant/high 4th tuning). If you’re used to playing guitar, the pitch of the strings on the ukulele don’t always go from lowest to highest. This tuning gives you the most even tone because the strings are kept in a smaller range, which makes it a very popular tuning for the smaller soprano uke.
However, some people tune the G down an octave (linear/low 4th tuning). Not only do you get a broader range, but some might consider the sound to be a bit more open and makes more dissonant sounding chords ring clearer.
Here is a picture of linear ukulele tuning demonstrated on the piano keys:
Other Ukulele Tunings
Here are some other ukulele tunings used by different ukulele players.
Baritone Ukulele Tuning (D, G, B, E) — This tuning is used on baritone ukuleles and sometimes even on tenor ukuleles. This ukulele tuning is equivalent to the tuning of the last four strings on a guitar. Sometimes this tuning is referred to “G tuning.”
Slack-key Tuning (G, C, E, G) — If you just strum the strings as open strings, you are strumming a C major chord, which makes this a very open tuning. The top G string can be tuned either in reentrant or linear tuning, meaning you can either tune it to the G above middle C or down the octave.
English Tuning (A, D, F#, B) — Also considered as a “D tuning,” this tuning has the same amount of intervals (the amount of notes between each string) as standard ukulele tuning but every string is tuned up a whole step. This tuning is popular for soprano ukes. Some find this tuning to be a bit sweeter in tone.
Canadian Tuning (low A, D, F#, B) — Canadian tuning is nearly identical to English tuning except you tune the A down an octave. This tuning is popular for concert and tenor ukes.
How to Tune Your Ukulele
There are two ways you can tune your ukulele: by ear or by using a chromatic tuner. I recommend using a chromatic tuner. Although some people have an extraordinary sense of pitch, a chromatic tuner will always give you the most accurate tuning no matter what.
How to Tune by Ear
If you wish to tune by ear, you can use our online ukulele tuner as a reference. Simply play the note you want to tune from our ukulele tuner and then pluck that string on your ukulele.
As both sounds are ringing, if the note is out of tune, you should hear a wavy or warbly noise between the two sounds. Your goal is to turn the tuning pegs on your ukulele till that wavy or warbly sound between the two strings disappears. When this happens, you’re in tune, or pretty close to being in tune.
How to Use a Chromatic Tuner
The best thing to do is to buy a chromatic tuner for less than $20 like the one in the picture. A chromatic tuner is a device that automatically detects the pitch of your strings and gives you a reading so you can adjust your tuning to the right spot.
The tuner I use is a Korg CA-30, which I believe has been discontinued and replaced by the Korg CA-40 (pictured above). For the price, the Planet Waves chromatic tuner has received good reviews too.
Reader Response
What are your favorite tunings? Do you have any tips or information you’d like to add for tuning a ukulele? Confused? Post your question or comment below.
When you tune the G string down the octave, do you change out the string?
Steven, I replied to you on the “White Christmas” post as well, but I just use a wound low G string. I don’t switch between tunings on this tenor uke. I like the low G sound on it too much, although sometimes I wish I had a concert or soprano uke for that reentrant sound.
Hi..I have a Lanikai Concert with Aquila strings, standart tuning and you said “However, some people tune the G down an octave (linear/low 4th tuning)” How would I do this? I set my pitch at 444 instead of 440 on all strings so I get 528 on the A string. Do I have to get a different G string? Thanks..
Keith, most people find that a different G string works a lot better. I have a wound G string verses a nylon string. This helps keep tension on the string. Chances are if you tune it down an octave with a regular nylon G string the string will be really loose and won’t hold a tune very well. I think Aquila makes a “Low G” string set for this if you wanted to stick to that brand. The best thing to do is tune your G all the way down an octave and give it a try. Hope this helps!
Newbie question. Can you use GCEA strings to get English tuning or do you need a special set? I’ve run across some strums (by Coveywood on youtube) that sound really nice with English tuning.
Also, do they ever stop stretching? I’ve had my uke for 5 days now, stretched them every day, and they’re still flat every time I pick it up! I just keep cranking them back into tune. I’d think they’d reach a limit and either stay (nearly) in tune or break.
Hey Mike, I wouldn’t have any problem using a standard set with English tuning. I think I have seen some string sets out there that are created for a whole step up, but they seem to be hard to track down.
Strings will always stretch and change a little bit depending on the temperature and humidity. It usually takes a few days to a week till I feel like my new strings have “settled.” Another factor that can effect tuning is the quality of the tuners/tuning pegs on the ukulele.
For me, I always like to tune my ukulele before I pick it up and play it, even though my ukulele holds pretty good tune. I like to know that I’ll be sounding the best I can.
Thanks Brett, that’s kind of what I thought about English tuning. I always tune my Makala before playing also. I’ve been tuning it with my guitar tuner, which works with all of the stings except the C. I’ve been fretting the C up to an E and then tuning it. Seems to work pretty well. The stock strings seem to have an infinite amount of stretch, but they seem to stay in relative tune fairly well. Thanks again for you reply!
Mike.
Hi there,
I’ve been watching and listening to your “11 must know chords” and while playing them with my own (tenor) uke I realised it sounded completely different than yours, tried to tune it as shown on a video I found and burst a string! …..:( haha! As you might have guessed I am totally new to this! Right, the thing that puzzles me is that on your site you say that there’s a different way of tuning in England, where I am based. If so can I learn your “11 must know chords”as it doesn’t sound the same??
Hey Danielle, ahhh yes, sometimes tuning can make you break a string. Especially drastic tuning like a low G tuning. The best thing to do is to get a special low G tuning string set. The chord positions will be the same for English tuning, but the pitch will sound a whole step up, because you are tuned up a whole step. Does that make sense?
Good stuff, as ever! There are three things I’d think are worth adding here, though. One, it’s pretty easy to find free tuner software for computers, serving exactly the same function as an electronic tuner off the shelf – I’m currently using PitchPerfect for the Mac, for example. It’s still probably worth investing in a dedicated little machine, though, for portability.
Two, for anyone who’s played guitar a bit, it’s worth noting that standard uke tuning has the same intervals as the top four strings of a guitar, just tuned up a fourth (i.e. five semitones) and with the G an octave higher! Hence the fact that so many ukulele chords are the same shape as guitar chords without the lowest two strings…
Three – it’s surely worth knowing how to make sure a ukulele is in tune with itself, for those times when you don’t have anything else to tune it to?
Hi- Im new to this I get confused with the tuning I have a very old book (first pub:1926) that says tune to ADF#B & most sites stage gCEA I have a soprano Monterey (not sure if this is a good one or not as no experience) I have tuned it to gCEA I can tune it to my piano but have great difficulty getting the C to tune in to middle C (Is that what its supposed to tune to?)the strings I have are the ones It was purchased with
ps having fun with my learn to play e-book am practicing twinkle twinkle & driving hubby mad
Hey Alisa, you might try putting new strings to see if that helps with the tuning. Sometimes the strings that come from the factory aren’t very good. I’m glad to hear you’re enjoying the ebook!
Hi, I have a question regarding tuning but can not find an answer, so I give it a try here…
My ukulele is tuned in (the English) A,D,F#,G,B
But why do no one tune up the F# into a G, then you will have the same tuning as a guitar except the E-strings. I found this easier since I have played guitar before.
Is there anything that is wrong with this? (wondering since I can’t find that tuning)…
Regards,
Magnus
Hey Magnus, let me make sure I understand this correctly.
Are you suggesting a tuning of A, D, G, and B?
I don’t see why you couldn’t give this a try. The only problem you might run into is snapping your “F#” string since there would be more tension on it. I say tune it that way and see what you think!
Hi, thanks for your quick replay.
Yes, my idea is to tune up the F# half step to G than I can play the chord pattern in the same way as on the guitar (except the high and low E). My concern was more if I will miss some “ringing” harmonics when play the chords like a guitar.
I will give it a try. Thank you!
/Magnus
How about for a bariton Uke
Hi Jo, a baritone ukulele is tuned like the bottom four strings of the guitar (DGBE). You can use my free online ukulele tuner to tune your baritone ukulele.
I’ve got a set of Ukulele pitch pipes. Do ever tune your Ukulele using these?
Warren, thanks for the comment! I have never used pitch pipes to tune my ukulele. I prefer the ease and accuracy of a chromatic tuner.
This is a fantastic site, thanks for what you’ve given to the uke community!
I have a question about tuning for a concert uke that I just purchased (Kala KA-C) – would you recommend low-G tuning, or gCEA standard? I don’t mind changing the string once but I’d like to settle on one or the other (I play a bit of guitar so low G seems more natural to me).
Say I do change to low G, then some of the chords will actually be inverted, eg. C would really be C/G would it not? Does that make much difference? Clearly the uke would have a lower range, but some of the chords would also sound slightly different in their bass note as well. I’m certainly not interested in changing or learning yet more new chord patterns, just wondered what your view was.
Thanks!
Darren, that’s a good question. If I had a concert, I would probably keep it in standard tuning, but this is because I have a tenor ukulele right now. I did end up switching my tenor back to standard because I found that some chord shapes sounded weird because they were inverted chords. At the same time, I will say that even a low G tuning uke, doesn’t have a booming low register, so these inversions aren’t THAT awkward.
Here’s what I would do… by a low G string set and a standard string set and try the low G string set first. After a couple weeks, give the standard string set a try and see which one you like better.
Thanks, Brett – sounds good to me!
As a guitar player, who just received a ukulele for his birthday, I am wondering what the main disadvantages to tuning the strings like a guitar would be. Does the ukulele sound worse with this tuning? Does it increase strain on the strings or on the neck of the ukulele?
If you were to tune your ukulele to the bottom four strings of the guitar, you’d have a hard time getting enough tension on the strings since DGBE is lower than GCEA (standard ukulele tuning). You might try a pair of baritone ukulele strings though, since a baritone ukulele is tuned like the bottom four strings of a guitar.
I’d recommend trying out standard tuning first. That tuning will give you the best sound out of your ukulele.
I bought a set of Low G strings and then had to “mix & match” sort of to get a good sound and proper tension. Just because a string might be the A or E string that dosen’t mean it can’t be tuned to another pitch and used in a different slot.
I have a Makai tenor and am much happier with it in the DGBD tuning.
Quick question – i bought a soprano and want to play with someone who has a baritone. can we tune them both to GCEA and work on the same songs?
Hey Matt, it’s not the best idea to try to tune the baritone ukulele to GCEA because you’ll probably break a string. The easiest thing to do is buy a capo and have the baritone player capo to the 5th fret. This will put him in the same tuning and pitch as you so he can use the same chord positions as you.
how do you tune to the key of F?
Standard tuning is GCEA, so if you tuned down a whole step, you’d be tuned to F Bb D G, which may give you what you’re looking for.
I am a beginner uke player–just bought a Cordoba CM15 concert uke & a chromatic tuner. I am having a terrible time with the E string keeping its tune. Any suggestions???
Depending on how new or old the strings are, they could need some time to break in and “settle.” You might also try putting new strings on it if you are playing the stock strings that came with it. Sometimes strings that come with a new ukulele aren’t so good. If you continue to have problems with it, it might be your ukulele’s tuner, which you could take to the store and get that looked at.