Ukulele Tuning Notes
April 10, 2008
Almost all the ukulele tuning notes online seem to be for standard tuning. So I thought I’d knock together tuning notes for some more out of the way tunings.
Re-entrant C-tuning
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g,C,E,A
Sometimes referred to as standard tuning. It’s the most common ukulele tuning.
Re-entrant D-tuning
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a,D,F#,B
Used to be more popular than it is now. Most of the old song sheets from the ukulele heyday are in D-tuning. Nowadays, the only place I really see it used often is with Formby acolytes.
Low-G Tuning
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G,C,E,A
This tuning (with the g string an octave lower than in standard tuning) is becoming more popular – particularly with Hawaiian players. It offers a greater choice of base notes which can fill out the sound when you are playing solo ukulele. This tuning is most often used on tenor ukuleles.
Watch this video of Carl Ray Villaverde to hear how effective it can be.
Low-A Tuning
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A,D,F#,B
Should probably be called the ‘Canadian tuning’. It’s used extensively by James Hill and Chalmers Doane. Off the top of my head, I can’t remember it being used anywhere else.
Slack-Key Tuning
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g,C,E,G
The tuning is most often used in the slack-key style of playing (from Hawaii). The A string is tuned down a whole step to G. This produces a C chord when all the strings are played open. The G string can be either low or high (in this case, it’s high).
Baritone Tuning
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D,G,B,E
The baritone ukulele strings are usually tuned the same as the top four strings as the guitar: with the strings going from low to high. It is possible to buy strings for baritone ukulele that allow you to play in re-entrant tuning with a high-D
B-Tuning
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The standard C-tuning with each string tuned down half a step (one fret). It’s particularly useful for playing in uke unfriendly keys like B and E which often crop up in guitar-based songs.
C#Tuning
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The standard ukulele C-tuning tuned up half a step (one fret). So it’s half way between C and D tuning. You can recreate this tuning on a C-tuned uke with less hassle by putting a capo on the first fret.
Other Tuning Methods
Using a Tuner
If you don’t trust your ear to tune the uke (or you want to check you’ve got it right), you can use a tuner.
If you’re tuning at your computer, you can download the AP Tuner free and it will tell you the pitch of each string as you play it. The readings should be this for standard tuning:
G = G4
C = C4
E = E4
A = A4
Don’t worry about being bang on 00.0. One or two either way doesn’t matter much.
For tuning away from the computer, you can use a ukulele tuner. You can find out more about them here: ukulele tuners.
Tuning to Pitch Pipes
In days of yore, when dragons roamed the earth, there was no such thing as computers, intertubes and digital tuners. In order to tune their ukuleles, our forefathers had to toot on an ancient whistles known as pitch pipes. They work like a harmonica and a have on hole for each note of the ukulele. You blow the note and tune to it. Dead simple and they break down a lot less often than fancy digital tuners.
Tuning to a Piano
The C string of the ukulele corresponds to the middle-C of the piano. This video should help you find middle C.
Here are the other notes you’ll need:
From left to right: C, E, G, A
Tuning to a Guitar
If you’re playing with other instruments, you have to make sure you are in tune with them. Even if you’re both out, so long as you’re out by the same amount, it’ll sound right.
For standard, re-entrant tuning, you can find the tuning notes here:
G = E-string (high E-string) third fret.
C = B-string first fret.
E = E-string open.
A = E-string fifth fret.
Tuning the Ukulele to Itself
Sometimes, you’ll have nothing but your ukulele. On these occasions, you’ll have to tune the ukulele to itself. This might mean that the strings aren’t exactly right. However, so long as the strings are in tune with each other (all of them out by the same amount) it’ll sound right.
Start with the C-string. So long as it sounds like it’s in the right range, use that as your base note. Play the C-string at the fourth fret and tune the E-string to this note.
Play the E-string at the third fret and tune the G-string to that.
To get the note for the A-string, you can either play the E-string at the fifth fret, or the G-string at the second fret.
Strum through a few chords and if all sounds well, you’re good to go.
I was just fooling around with the idea of tuning my new tenor with the low-G…It wasn’t holding, though. Kept going sharp on me. It sounds really good, though, for at least one strum.
Vincent Cortese uses aDF#B, and seems pretty set on it.
http://uketalk.com/artist-interviews/vincent-cortese.html
Apparently Martin strings, as hated as they are, work much better in D tuning.
“g,C,E,G
This produces a G chord when all the strings are played open.”
Correct if I am wrong, but I thought a G chord has the G, B and D notes. And a C major chord has C, E and G. Sounds like you think about the the guitar now…? (a fretted G chord on guitar is the same shape as the C chord on the uke)
Emily: This might be a stupid question, but are you using a low-G string.
Min: Thanks for that. I think Roy Smeck used D-tuning, which is why Cortese goes with it.
Wellie: Thanks, you’re completely right. I did know that – honest.
There John Butler’s e, A, C#, F# tuning that he uses for “Groovin’ Slowly.”
http://youtube.com/watch?v=B2fUaDBuFyU
Seeso, I had no idea that John Butler ever picked up a uke. We had a chance to see him a few years back at a small venue and I wasn’t disappointed. Thanks for that link.
John Butler, there’s another authentically dread-locked hippie dude for you, Woodshed :)
Thanks for that, Seeso. It’s a new one on me.
[...] at Ukulele Hunt goes over some of the most popular tunings in a recent post. Sound files are [...]
As you’re playing, performing a downwards strum in standard tuning, the first string you hit should be the g-sting, yes? Not the a-string.
Yes, Cam, that’s right. If you’re in standard C-tuning the first sting you’ll hit is the G string.
I need help i can’t seem to get first string out of A3 and my fourth out of G3 tuning if someone could tell how to get them the correct way it would be most appreciated.
Thanks
Zak: Does your uke have friction tuners (the ones that stick out of the back rather than the side)? If it does, you might have to tighten the screws to firm up the tuners.
I have a Mitchell Mu-70 with traditional button geared tuners.
I tried to tune it to g4 & a4 but it didn’t seem to sound right, and the A string kept poppin off.
Currently i use the tuning
g3
c4
e4
a3
it sound pretty good to me
Is there a term for this, or am i committing uke heresy???
thanks
It’s unusual but there’s nothing wrong with that. I think we’ll have to call it the ‘Zak tuning’.
Just wondering.
I was gifted this Ukulele since I was very young. Type WAIKIKI UKE
I was just wondering the value of it now.
I have enjoyed playing mu Ukulele. I was wondering to invest on e new one. Should I sell it????
Roland: Sorry, never heard of Waikiki ukes. You might have more luck asking on Flea Market Music.
How can I tell what type of ukulele I have? It was a gift and I don’t know if it is a soprano, concerte or what. Thanks
Dick: There’s a guide to ukulele sizes here.
My uke is in c tuning with a low g. I want to change it to a b tuning but I don’t know what to do with my low g string. Help?
Jamie: Tune it down 1 fret to F#
Why is it that when a soprano or concert uke is newly tuned it still tends to sound slightly out of tune when playing a chord?
Jeff: It shouldn’t be a problem if the strings are in tune. Either the intonation is off or it might be that you’re pressing down too hard on the strings.
I bought a book to day with a bunch of good songs. I got home and looked at it, and it is writen with ADF#B tuning. Big problem as I am just learning and using GCEA tuning.
My question is how can I tranpose this so I can use it?
Walt: Look at the chord names in the book and play the chord shapes as you’ve learnt them.
Some of the chord progressions might not fit so well. So and alternative is to use the chord shapes from the book (so the song will be two frets lower).
i used to live across the road (and a park) from john butler… and i have a mitchell mu-100 (close).
AND i have tried tuning a soprano with a low g, my solution is to take the c string off another soprano and use that.
I kinda play guitar, and just brough a ukule online, all this tuning talk is confusing, can i use my standard guitar tunner and whats the best way to tune for begginer thanks