How to Tune Your Ukulele

It is important to keep your uke tuned up, especially when you are playing with a group of ukes! But even if you only play solo, having your uke tuned up will help you enjoy practicing and playing so much more.

But how do you know which way to turn the tuning peg? Just remember, that when you make the string tighter, the pitch will get higher. And, when you make the string looser, the pitch will get lower.

The strings are tuned to the notes “G C E A” with the G string closest to your face, and the A string the one closest to the floor.

The pitch order of the strings

-        The A String - The highest pitch string is the 1st string or “A”.

-        The E string – The next string is the 2nd string or “E” and should sound a little lower than the A string.

-        The C string-  Next comes the 3rd string or “C” and it should sound a little lower than the E string.

What about the G?

When it comes to the G string, the pitch depends on whether it is a high G tuning or a low G tuning.

-        For a low G tuning, the string will sound lower than the C string.

-        For a high G tuning, the string will sound higher than the C string  

There are several ways to tune your uke:

1. You can use an electronic tuner. Most electronic tuners clip onto the headstock and determine the pitch of the string through the vibrations in the wood. 

• Turn on the power

• Begin by plucking the 1st string (A) and turn the tuning peg until the tuner indicates it is right at the tone (sometimes it displays a color, some tuners just show a solid bar when the right tone is reached.) 

• You'll do this with each string in turn, making sure you are tuning the strings from the one closest to the floor (1st) and then in order towards your face, A (1st string), E (2nd string), C (3rd string), and finish with the G (4th).

The order of the notes on the scale is A B C D E F G. So when tuning with an electronic tuner you’ll need to listen carefully to determine if the string should be tuned higher or lower.

For instance, if you begin with the A string: maybe when you pluck the string, the electronic tuner reads “G#”. If you make the string tighter it will move up in pitch to the “A” note. If you make the string looser it will move down in pitch to “G”.

2. You can also use a tuning app for your phone that does a fine job. Just follow the instructions on the app.

3. You can also use a piano or keyboard to tune your uke:  

For the fourth or G string (the one closest to your face)

-        (for a high G tuning) use the G above middle C on the keyboard

-        (for a low G low) the G below middle C on the keyboard

For the third, or C string, use middle C on the keyboard

For the second string, or E string, use the E above middle C on the keyboard

For the first, or A string, use the A above middle C on the keyboard

Just sound each note and turn the appropriate string's tuning peg until the note is reached. 

4. Tune your uke to itself

Even after you tune your uke to a keyboard or with an electronic tuner, you’ll want to check to make sure it is in tune with itself. Sometimes your strings just down sound quite right even after tuning. So, tuning the uke to itself if a good way to make sure each string is in tune with the others.

If you are using a Low G tuning: Start with the G and C strings

On the fifth fret, press down on the G string and pluck the G and then the C string. They should sound the same. If not, adjust the C string with the tuning peg. 

Then press down the C string at the 4th fret and pluck the C string and then the E string. Again, they should sound the same. If not, adjust the E string with the tuning peg. 

Now press down the E string at the 5th fret and pluck the E string and then the A string. They should sound the same and if not, adjust the A string with the tuning peg. 

If you are using a High G tuning: Start with the A and E strings

You’ll start by tuning the A string to a keyboard or an electronic tuner. Then, press down the E string (that’s the 2nd string) at the 5th fret and pluck the A string and then the E string. The two strings should sound the same. If not, adjust the A string with the tuning peg. (and now you know the E string at the 5th fret is an A note!)

Now press down the C string at the 4th fret and pluck the C string and then the E string. They should sound the same and if not, adjust the C string with the tuning peg. 

For the high G string you’ll need to press your finger on the E string (that’s the 2nd string) at the 3rd fret. Pluck that string and then the G string. They should sound the same. If not, adjust the tuning peg for the G string. (And now you also know that the E string at the 3rd fret is a G note!)

Tuning your uke will become second nature after a very short time. This is something you’ll do every time you pick up your uke to play – make sure it is in tune!

You may find that when the strings are new, they slip a bit so you may need to re-tune in the middle of a practice session.

Playing outdoors may have the same effect and you'll probably tune your uke more frequently if you're playing outdoors.