Ukulele tuning (G C E A)
Every soprano, concert and tenor ukulele player, from beginners to Jake Shimabukuro.
Standard ukulele tuning is G C E A, with a twist: the G on the fourth string is a high G, above the C next to it. This reentrant tuning is why ukulele strums sound so bright and why the strings are not in low-to-high order.
It applies to soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles alike. Baritone ukuleles are the exception and use D G B E, like the top four strings of a guitar.
Notes and frequencies
From the fourth string to the thinnest, at concert pitch (A4 = 440 Hz). This is the reference every other ukulele tuning is measured against.
| String | Note | Frequency (A4 = 440 Hz) | Change from standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | G4 | 392.00 Hz | as standard |
| 3 | C4 | 261.63 Hz | as standard |
| 2 | E4 | 329.63 Hz | as standard |
| 1 | A4 | 440.00 Hz | as standard |
Tuning to Standard in TuneGlass
- Open Settings and choose ukulele.
- Standard tuning is already selected. Play any string: the dial shows the nearest string and how far off it is.
- Play one string at a time. The needle turns green and the scale fills when the string is in tune. Hold a string circle to hear its reference note.
Tips
- Nylon strings stretch a lot when new. Expect to retune every few minutes for the first day; after that they settle.
- The fourth string is tuned to G4, the same G as the guitar's third string one octave up. If your tuner shows G3 you are an octave low and the string will be floppy.
- In TuneGlass choose Ukulele in Settings. The circles read G C E A in playing order and the app knows the G is high.
Questions
What are the notes on a ukulele?
G C E A from the string nearest your face to the one nearest the floor. The G is a high G (G4), above the C.
Why is the ukulele not tuned low to high?
Reentrant tuning: the fourth string is pitched above the third. It gives the instrument its characteristic bright, chiming strum.
Can I tune a ukulele with a guitar tuner?
Yes, with a chromatic tuner. TuneGlass also has a dedicated ukulele mode with the right notes already set.
Related tunings
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