Tuning Your Ukulele

From tuning by ear to using phone apps and electronic clip-on tuners.

Published: 02 Jan 2005 Updated: 13 Oct 2023Visits: 0Code: UL101a

Category: TuningsInstrument: Ukulele Subjects: Beginner • Tuning • Tunings

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Tuning Your Ukulele


From tuning by ear to using an electronic tuner. The lesson goes over the various tuning methods for tuning your ukulele. You ALWAYS need to play in tune.

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Basically just BUY an electronic tuner and use it or use an app on your phone. However, also learn to tune your ukulele to itself when no external tuning reference is available, or, you just don't have you tuner around. Both valuable skills to learn.

Tuning by Ear

PlanetWaves-TuningFork.pngThis is tuning by using a reference note and comparing each string to this note. A tuning fork, piano or other instrument can be used as the reference note.

Using the open string as your reference note, in the case of "C" tuning, an A note and using an A440Hz tuning fork or other instrument. Tune the open string one to this reference note. Adjust the string higher or lower to match the reference note. I listen for any wobble or oscillation between the pitches and tune until this goes away. If I get lost and I'm not sure if I'm too sharp or flat, higher or lower in pitch to the reference note. I loosen the string until I know it is flat, or lower in pitch and start over.

Compare string fret (5) to string open. These are the exact same note and pitches.

Now this is where most people make an error in tuning. They then compare string three to two. If you didn't string two just right, any error will be introduced to string three.

Compare string fret (9) to string open. This is the same note. String one might even vibrate on its oven when you play the note on string three if it is tuned.

Compare string fret (2) to string open. If using a high "G" tuning this is the same note. If using a low "G" tuning, this note is one octave lower and still a pure interval.

NOTE: Only compare pure intervals, unison and octaves.

Musical Intervals, Frequency, and Ratio

In order to really understand tuning, the harmonic series, intervals, and harmonic relationships, it is very useful to understand a little bit about the physics of sound and to be comfortable discussing ratios, fractions, and decimals. This lesson is a short review of some basic math concepts for students who want to understand some of the math and physics principles that underlie music theory.

Tuning Systems

Here are two tuning systems, names that you might encounter in you travels in ukulele circles.

The Pythagorean System

Pythagorean tuning is a system of musical tuning in which the frequency relationships of all intervals are based on the ratio 3:2. Its name comes from medieval texts which attribute its discovery to Pythagoras, but its use has been documented as long ago as 3500 B.C. in Babylonian texts. It is the oldest way of tuning the 12-note chromatic scale. ( source Wikipedia )

Equal Temperament

In musical tuning, a temperament is a system of tuning which slightly compromises the pure intervals of just intonation in order to meet other requirements of the system.( source Wikipedia )

Equal Temperament IS the tuning system that we use in western music.

The Problem with Tuning Using Harmonics

The music we play and listen to, which is based on the 12-tone scale, uses equal temperament tuning (see Equal Temperament above).

A Harmonic, a pure interval. Equal Temperament tuning does not use pure intervals. As such, the ukulele, which uses the Equal Temperament tunings, is not tuned using pure intervals. So unless you are comparing the same pitches or octaves, the only pure intervals — you will get tuning errors.

You can use harmonics to get close then use octaves and unison notes for final tweaking.

Relative Tuning

If you have a good Relative Pitch and can recognized melodic intervals. You can tune your ukulele by comparing one note to another. Using the open strings the comparison intervals are:

High "G" - C Tuning (gCEA) and High "A" - D Tuning (aDF#B)

  • Compare string to string , a perfect fourth
  • Compare string to string , a major third
  • Compare string to string , major second

Low G – C Tuning (GCEA), Low A – D Tuning (ADF#B), and G tuning (DGBE)

  • Compare string to string , a perfect fourth
  • Compare string to string , a major third
  • Compare string to string , perfect fourth

Note:: The Low G tuning is the same relative intervals as the thins four strings of the guitar.

To develop Relative Pitch visit the Ear Training lesson page .

Using Electronic Tuner

The greatest invention since Sliced Bread.

There a lot of electronic tuners available that can be used for tuning your ukulele. There are foot pedals, clip-one tuners. LED tuners, built-in instrument tuners, and strobe tunes. Visit the LearningUkulele.com page on Electronic Tuners for listings of manufactures and information on these types of tuners.

I recommend getting a chromatic tuner that can tune a string to anyone of the 12 notes of the chromatic scale. A A# B C C# D D# E F F# G G# .

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End of Lesson - Thanks, Hope You Enjoyed It!

Related Lessons, Videos, Lesson Series, Songs, Books & Reference Charts, Resources & Assets, Workshops are below.

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Comparing the High G and Low G, C Tunings

Updated: 09 Jun 2015

Exploring the differences in these two common C tunings, both the high G reentrant tuning associated with he ukulele and the low G variation. There are benefits to exploring both C tunings. Good excuse to have more ukes -:)

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Related Lessons Series for Tuning Your Ukulele.

Common Ukulele Tunings

Updated: 01 Jan 2003

Any tuning is possible on a ukulele as long as the construction supports it and a string is available. There are three somewhat common tunings in popular use today, C, D and G tuning - with C tuning the most popular.

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Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard - C Tuning

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Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard - D Tuning

Updated: 23 Sep 2009

If your goal is to finally learn the names of the notes on the ukulele fingerboard. Then Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard - D Tuning is your answer. Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard - D Tuning, has a step by step approach to finally mastering the ukulele fingerboard.

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Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard - G Tuning

Updated: 23 Aug 2009

If your goal is to finally learn the names of the notes on the ukulele fingerboard. Then Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard - G Tuning is your answer. Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard - G Tuning, has a step by step approach to finally mastering the ukulele fingerboard.

A Selection of Books & Reference Charts that are recommended for creating a solid foundation with your chosen instrument and music in general.

Books

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard – C Tuning

Finally, learn the names of the notes of the fingerboard.

Six Secrets of Ukulele Fingering

Learn the six fingering principles to navigating the ukulele fingerboard. Fingering is one of the most universal topics.

Harmonic Analysis for Scale Selection and Chord Substitution

Harmonic Analysis is the understanding of the functional sequence of chords. It is the process used to analyze the harmonic structure of a progression, song or composition.

Ukulele – Reading Music Series – Primer

Learn to read single note melodies in the first/open position is a lot easier than you might think.

Daily Practice Material for the Contemporary Ukulele

An organized collection of daily practice and reference material for the contemporary ukulele player for developing the vocabulary and knowledge necessary for single note playing.

Checkout the Books for ALL available books.

Reference Charts

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G - G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G – G C E A

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for G Tuning, Low or High A – D G B E

Key Signatures — Circle of Fourths and Fifths – ANSI A & A4 sizes

A handy reference chart of all 15 major and relative minor key signatures. US Letter 8.5 x 11 sized (ANSI-A) , A4

Checkout the Books for additional Handy, Dandy Reference Charts.

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Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G

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Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for C Tuning, Low or High G. Shows natural, sharp and flat notes for the ukulele fingerboard. This tuning can be used on a soprano, concert, tenor and baritone ukuleles.

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Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for D Tuning, Low or High A

Updated: 31 Dec 2016

Ukulele Fingerboard Chart for D Tuning, Low or High DG. Shows natural, sharp and flat notes for the ukulele fingerboard. This tuning can be used on a soprano, concert or tenor ukulele.

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