How To Tune Your Ukulele

So you just bought a new ukulele and excited to play some tune. Or you already have an old ukulele hiding you’re your bed or in storeroom for quite some time. It always advisable to get the strings in tune before you started playing. And I always advised my students to check and tune the instrument before every practice, it will also help train your ears to know the sound of a correct tone. Here are some ways to tune your ukulele.

The open strings of the ukulele are as follows. 
(The is when you have your ukulele in standard tuning)

Starting from the left on the fretboard

• 4^th String: G
• 3^rd String: C
• 2^nd String: E
• 1^st String:  A

You can remember by taking the 1^st alphabet of the following phase:
Good  Children  Eat  Apple

Using Electronic Tuner

One of the easiest and most accurate ways is to use an electronic Tuner. This is also the method I prefer the most. There are many brand and model of tuner available online and also in your local music store. Most aren’t that expensive and will make your life easier. Just make sure to get one that is made to tune ukulele or a chromatic tuner which can be used to tune different notes. To use the tuner is pretty easy, your just clip the tuner on the headstock and pluck the strings. It will show the note you are playing and you use the tuning pegs to get to the desired note.

Refer to the tuner manual or user guide on how to operate the model of tuner you have.

You can get a tuner at my online store Here at Shop@H-Cave.com.
Shipping within Singapore only.

Using “Relative” Tuning Method

For this method, you tune the strings relative to each other, i.e. with reference to the other string. This method isn’t that accurate as if the first string you use as reference is out of tune, all of them will be out. It fine if you are playing on your own but will cause issues if you are playing with other people or along with songs.

This may take some practice to train your ear.
For the below example, I am using the 1^st string (A) as the first reference string.

Tip: You can try to train yourself to remember how the first string (A) sound like so at least it won’t get too far out after you had tuned your ukulele.

Here are the steps.

1) Tuning 2^nd stings (E) with reference to the 1^st string (A).
You use the 1^st string (A) as a reference. Then place your finger on the 5^th fret of the 2^nd string (E). Now you pluck the 1^st string (A) and 2^nd string (which is now an A note), they should sound the same. You can adjust the 2^nd string with the tuning pegs until they sound the same.

2) Tuning 3^rd stings (C), with reference to the 2^nd string (E).
Next place your finger on 4^th fret of the 3^rd string (C). Now you pluck the 2^nd string (E) and 3^rd string (which now is an E-note), they should sound the same. You can adjust the 3^nd string with the tuning pegs until they sound the same.

Tuning 4^th stings (G).
4a) Most of the ukulele comes with a High G string. For this case you use the 1^st string (A) as reference.
Place your finger on 2^nd fret of 4^th string. Now you pluck the 1^st string (A) and 4^th string (which now is an A-note), they should sound the same. You can adjust the 4^th string with the tuning pegs until they sound the same.

4b) If you had replaced the 4^th string to a Low G string, you use the 2^nd string (E) as reference.
Place your finger on 5^th fret of 4^th string. Now you pluck the 2^nd string (E) and 4^th strings (which now is an E-note), they should sound the same. You can adjust the 4^th string with the tuning pegs until they sound the same.

 

Using Piano Tuning Method

You can use a piano to tune your ukulele. Refer to diagram below to match the notes of the piano with that of your ukulele.

 

Still can’t get it in tune?

Your ukulele may not been setup properly, this may be resolved by tightening the screws of the machine heads a little. Or the strings aren’t put on correctly. A new set of strings also need some time to settle down as you may notice it will get out of tune again pretty fast. And remember to always check is your ukulele in tune before every practice session.

Enjoy playing and have fun.