For those of you who are beginners to playing the ukulele I’m including some “Quick Start” Guides to help you get started. This first of these Guides deals with how to tune a ukulele and concentrates on the standard gCEA tuning which is common to soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles. Please note that baritone ukuleles, bass ukuleles and guitaleles are tuned differently and this is a topic which I’ll return to in a later post.
On instruments such as violins and guitars the strings run from high to low, or vice versa, as you move up or down through the strings in order. However, the standard gCEA tuning for ukuleles is rather unusual. It’s known as re-entrant tuning as the strings are not all ordered from the lowest pitch to the highest.
- When holding your ukulele the string nearest you, which is known as the 4th string, is tuned to the G above middle C. One method of achieving this is to use a sound source such a piano or keyboard. Tuning this string to the G above middle C means that it sounds higher than one would normally expect and could cause some initial confusion. This “high G” is actually higher in tone than the other strings apart from the first string. Tuning with a high G gives a bit of extra sparkle to your strumming and produces the ukulele’s distinctive sound. Some players prefer to tune this string to a “low G” and I’ll return to this topic in a later post.
- The next string, which is known as the 3rd string is tuned to C (middle C).
- Then the next string, which is known as the 2nd string, is tuned to the E above middle C.
- Finally, the string furthest away from you, which is known as the 1st string is tuned to the A above middle C.
To change the pitch of each string you’ll need to turn the appropriate tuning peg on the ukulele’s machine head. if a string sounds too high (sharp) you’ll need to loosen the string. If a string sounds too low (flat) you’ll need to tighten the string.
There are many devices that can help you keep your ukulele in tune. I tend to use an electronic/digital tuner which I clip onto the ukulele’s machine head as seen in the photograph above. With a digital tuner, when you play a note the electronic display identifies which note you’re playing and whether you are sharp or flat. The display also lights up when the note is precisely in tune and can be a very accurate method of tuning your ukulele. I wouldn’t be without my tuner and would certainly recommend a digital tuner as an essential accessory. Electro-acoustic and electric ukuleles often have a such a digital tuner built into their body as seen in the photograph below. Alternatively, if you prefer to use a smartphone there are many free apps which are available to use.
It is very important to get your ukulele in tune, otherwise it just won’t sound right and you’ll soon get discouraged. It’s also important to regularly check that the ukulele stays in tune, at least every time before you intend to play. It’s amazing how many things can effect the tuning of a ukulele. For example, new strings will loosen, go out of tune and will need to be checked quite often before they’ve settled down and been properly stretched through use. You’ve probably already heard about not storing your ukulele near radiators or in a sunny room such as a conservatory. Recently I went to play at a local venue and taking the ukulele by car on a cold wintry evening had a marked affect on its tuning. Thank goodness I’d got my digital tuner handy and I could soon get it back into tune.