Pedal Steel & Specialty

How do I tune a ukulele?

Q: How do I tune a ukulele?

Standard ukulele tuning is G C E A, from the string nearest your chin to the one nearest the floor. It's a re-entrant tuning: the G string is tuned higher than the C next to it, which gives the ukulele its bright, chiming sound. Tenor players sometimes use a low G, tuned an octave lower, for a deeper range. Soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles all use G C E A. Baritone ukuleles are different, tuned D G B E. String by string, standard tuning:4th string: G, above middle C (high G)3rd string: C, the lowest note2nd string: E1st string: A, the highest noteHow to tune:Tune the 3rd string to C with a tuner.Tune the 2nd string to E. The 3rd string fretted at the 4th fret should match it.Tune the 1st string to A. The 2nd string fretted at the 5th fret should match it.Tune the 4th string to G. It should match the 2nd string fretted at the 3rd fret.Retune all four. New nylon strings stretch a lot, so expect to retune often for the first few days.Low G: on a tenor with low G strings, the 4th string is tuned an octave lower, so it becomes the lowest note on the instrument.S.I.T. ukulele sets: UK110S (clear nylon), UK110S-BK (black nylon) and UK110S-TI (titanium) for soprano and concert, and UK130S low G for tenor. All are in Ukulele Strings.

Quick Answer

Standard ukulele tuning is G C E A, from the string nearest your chin to the one nearest the floor. It's a re-entrant tuning: the G string is tuned higher than the C next to it, which gives the ukulele its bright, chiming sound. Tenor players sometimes use a low G, tuned an octave lower, for a deeper range.

Soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles all use G C E A. Baritone ukuleles are different, tuned D G B E. String by string, standard tuning:

4th string: G, above middle C (high G)
3rd string: C, the lowest note
2nd string: E
1st string: A, the highest note

How to tune:

Tune the 3rd string to C with a tuner.
Tune the 2nd string to E. The 3rd string fretted at the 4th fret should match it.
Tune the 1st string to A. The 2nd string fretted at the 5th fret should match it.
Tune the 4th string to G. It should match the 2nd string fretted at the 3rd fret.
Retune all four. New nylon strings stretch a lot, so expect to retune often for the first few days.

Low G: on a tenor with low G strings, the 4th string is tuned an octave lower, so it becomes the lowest note on the instrument.

S.I.T. ukulele sets: UK110S (clear nylon), UK110S-BK (black nylon) and UK110S-TI (titanium) for soprano and concert, and UK130S low G for tenor. All are in Ukulele Strings.

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