Ukulele
Overview
Tuning Steps
Sweetened Tunings
Products
More Info
ukulele Videos
Discuss
Ukulele
Overview
In the Uke world, there are there are four main instruments, Concert, Tenor, Baritone & Bass Ukulele.
The standard tuning for Concert Ukulele is G4 C4 E4 A4, the tenor Uke is tuned very similarly but with the G string one octave below Concert at G3 C4 E4 A4. Baritone Ukulele is tuned a fourth below at D3 G3 B3 E4 and bass ukulele is tuned E2 A3 D3 G3. The short-voiced nature of some instruments presents a problem, the tone generated by plucking an open string is often too brief to register on regular electronic tuners. Thankfully, the real-time response and added SUStain feature developed by Peterson specifically with instruments like Ukulele in mind, tuning becomes simple and straightforward. The “SUStain” feature, when activated, keeps the current pitch of note displayed on screen for longer than with other tuners, allowing you more time to make adjustments. The numbers after the note names refer to the octave number displayed on most Peterson tuners, making tuning extra easy even for the absolute beginner.
Peterson tuner users include Jake Shimabukuro, Derick Sebastian and other ukulele giants, so you’ll be in good company!
How To Tune Your Ukulele
- Begin with the first string, it’s located closest to the floor when holding the ukulele in the normal playing position.
- Pluck to sound the 1st string and observe the tuner display, check that the note “A” is displayed. With your left hand, adjust the tuning peg to stop the strobe pattern image from moving contuously in any one direction, continue to adjust until the strobe pattern is motionless.
- Repeat the above for the E, C, & high G strings until all strings are tuned.
Standard And Alternate Tunings for ukulele family instruments
Ukulele
Tenor Ukulele
Baritone Ukulele
Bass Ukulele
G4 C4 E4 A4
G3 C4 E4 A4
D3 G3 B3 E4
E2 A3 D3 G3
A4 D4 F#4 B4
G4 C3 E4 A4
D4 G3 B3 E4
E1 A1 D2 G2
C3 G3 D4 A4
D3 G3 B3 E4
G3 C3 E3 A3
C1 G1 D2 A2
Ukulele
G4 C4 E4 A4
A4 D4 F#4 B4
C3 G3 D4 A4
Tenor Ukulele
G3 C4 E4 A4
G4 C3 E4 A4
D3 G3 B3 E4
Baritone Ukulele
D3 G3 B3 E4
D4 G3 B3 E4
G3 C3 E3 A3
Bass Ukulele
E2 A3 D3 G3
E1 A1 D2 G2
C1 G1 D2 A2
Sweetened Tunings
Sweeteners For Ukulele
Products With Ukulele Sweeteners
StroboClip HDC
$79.99
StroboStomp Mini
$119.00
StroboStomp LE
$169.00
StroboPLUS HDC
$179.99
StroboStomp HD
$149.00
StroboClip HD
$59.99
StroboPLUS HD
$149.99
iStroboSoft (iOS)
$9.99
Things to check to get the most out of your instrument’s tuning
2. Check the tuning pegs and their mounting screws periodically. Pegs can loosen up over time and cause tuning instability.
Checking Intonation
Using your Peterson Strobe Tuner, check this as follows:
Having tuned the 1st string correctly, pluck it while fretting it at the 12th fret. If the fretted tone shows sharp on your tuner, the bridge saddle needs to be adjusted a slight distance further away from the end of the neck, if it shows flat, it needs to be adjusted to be a slight distance closer to the end of the neck.
Repeat this procedure with the other strings. When both open and fretted tones are in tune in each case, the instrument is correctly intonated.
Famous Ukuleles
View Another Instrument