Ukulele Tunings

 

Ukulele Tunings (ukuleleTunings.shtml) | Updated: 21-Jul-2008 - 11:27

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Common Ukulele Tunings click to show or hide or section

Many tuning are possible. Here are the common tunings.

Any tuning is possible on a ukulele as long as the construction supports it and a string is available. Here are the most common tunings for the Ukulele shown in concert pitch.

To finally memorize the names of the notes on the ukulele fingerboard. Check out my book Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard below.


C Tuning

C Tuning - For Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukulele. The same as the higher four strings of a standard tuned guitar with a capo at the fifth fret with string four "G" one octave higher.

Online Tuners

C Tuning, Low "G"

Key of "C" Low 'G' Tuning - For Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukulele. Same as Key of "C" Tuning but with string four one octave lower. This is the same as placing a capo at the fifth fret of a standard tuned guitar.


D Tuning

Key "D" Tuning - For Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukulele. The same as the higher four strings of a standard tuned guitar with a capo at the seventh fret with string four "A" one octave higher.


D Tuning, Low "A"

Key "D" Tuning , Low 'A' Tuning - For Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukulele. The same as the higher four strings of a standard tuned guitar with a capo at the seventh fret.


G Tuning

Key of "G" Tuning - For Baritone and Tenor ukulele. The same as the higher four strings of a standard tuned guitar. So you already know how to play the Baritone and Tenor Ukulele.

String 4 can also be tuned up one octave. A tuning that the great jazz ukulele player Lyle Ritz favors.

More Tuning Information click to show or hide or section

 

For more information on ukulele tunings and how they influence playing styles visit the UkuleleLessons pages.

Here are the tuning recommendation of several prominent ukulele musicians:

Byron Yasui's recommend ukulele tunings:
  • Soprano - A D F# B
  • Concert (Alto) - G C E A
  • Tenor - F Bb D G
  • Baritone - Eb Ab C F
Joel Eckhaus's recommend ukulele tunings:

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard click to show or hide or section

Finally learn the ukulel fingerboard

It is absolutely amazing the number of guitar players and ukulele players that do not know the names of the notes (each fret) on their own instruments. This is a phenomenon not found on most other instruments.

Knowing the names of the notes of the fingerboard is not the same as reading standard music notation. Each fret on each string has at least one name and a music symbol associated with it. Just knowing at least one of the possible names of the frets is quite liberating.

Learning the Ukulele Fingerboard

Author: Curt Sheller
Publisher: Curt Sheller Publications - (32 pages)
Published: October 2004
ISBN 10: 1-60321-013-X
ISBN 13: 978-1-60321-013-3
Size: 5.5" x 8.5"
Product Code: ULUNN
Product Page: www.curtsheller.com/books/ULUNN.shtml
Press Release: www.curtsheller.com/ULUNN/PR_ULUNN.html

MORE INFO and samples...

Here is a series of UkuleleLessons for learning the ukulele fingerboard.

Standard Music Notation - Fingerboard Chart click to show or hide section

C Tuning, High "G"

This tuning is common for Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukuleles.

C Tuning, Low "G"

This tuning is common for Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukuleles.

G Tuning, High "D"

This tuning is common for Tenor and Baritone ukuleles.

  • Natural and Sharp Notes
  • Natural and Flat Notes
G Tuning, Low "D"

This tuning is common for Soprano, Concert and Tenor ukuleles.

  • Natural and Sharp Notes
  • Natural and Flat Notes

Electronic Tuners click to show or hide or section

Electronic tuners - Don't leave home without one.

I have accumulated several tuning devices over the years from the pitch pipe I got with my first guitar 30 years ago, to a tuning fork and several electronic tuners that live in my guitar cases on on my ukuleles today.

I don't even have my students tune by ear until well into playing the guitar. I have them get an electronic tuner and ALWAYS play in tune. This trains their ear and they learn what an in-tune guitar sounds like and can then learn to tune the guitar by ear.

Here is a review the current crop of clip-on tuners that I have and still use toady.

Here is a page of reviews on the tuners that I have used in the past and still use and reccommend.

Boss
Roland Corporation U.S.
5100 S. Eastern Avenue
Los Angeles, CA 90040-2938
Phone: 323.890.3700
Fax: 323.890.3701

P.O. Box 910921
Los Angeles, CA 90091-0921

Links

Wuhan Eleca Electronics CO., LTD
No. 12, the 5th Jiang Jun Road
Dong-Xi Lake District
Wuhan, China
430023
Tel: 027-59508018

USA: Eleca Amplification
Eleca International Inc.
21088 Commerce Pointe Dr.
Walnut, CA 91789
TEL: 909-468-1382

Links

information-lite.png Info click here to view more info

Tuner can be found under different brand names.

(from their site) Wuhan Eleca Electronics CO., LTD was established in December 1995. It’s a Sino-US joint venture, as well as export-oriented enterprise and high-tech enterpris e. The company focuses on international trade at the beginning of establishment. Business administration is in line with international standards.

Korg USA
316 South Service Rd
Melville, NY 11747

Links

information-lite.png Info click here to view more info

Tuner, Metronomes and more...

(from their site) - In the early 1960s, Korg founder Tsutomu Katoh was a nightclub proprietor. A popular Japanese accordionist and engineer named Tadashi Osanai performed regularly at Mr. Katoh’s club, and one evening, Mr. Katoh told Osanai it would be nice to have a rhythm machine to keep the beat. Mr. Osanai was sure he could build a rhythm machine himself, and convinced Mr. Katoh to finance his efforts.

Meisel Stringed Instruments
P.O. Box 90
Springfield, New Jersey 07081-0090
Tel:1- 973 379-5000, Fax:1- 973 379-5020
Dealers: 1-800 MEISEL M (634-7356)

Links

Company Info click here to view more info

(from company's site) -

Meisel traces its roots back centuries. In 1659, before there was a Beethoven or a Paganini, the Meisel name first appeared on a handcrafted European violin. Although much has changed since then, Meisel still symbolizes quality, craftsmanship and unsurpassed value for students and professional musicians alike.

OnBoard Research Corp.
Dallas, TX

Links

Makers of the The Intellitouch Tuner.

Intellitouch Tuner PT1 (Black) For Guitar (All). All Styles. Accessory. Published by OnBoard Research Corp. (20763)
See more info...

Intellitouch Tuner PT2 (White) For Guitar (All). All Styles. Accessory. Published by OnBoard Research Corp. (20764)
See more info...

Peterson Electro-Musical Products, Inc.
11601 Mayfield Avenue
Alsip, IL 60803
(708) 388-3311

Links

These are the leading high end strobe tuners. Can be found in every guitar repair shop.

Sabine, Inc.
Alachau, FL
904 418 2000
904 418 2001 (Fax)

Links

Editor's Note: (Feb 2007) This is the tuner and metronome that I use and reccommend to all my students. Korg also has a tuner/metronome with the same features.

Sabine Guitar & Bass Auto Tuner (ZIP700) Tuner. 6 note version of the STX tuners.
See more info...

Seiko
Seiko Holdings Corporation
SEAVANS North
1-2-1, Shibaura, Minato-ku
Tokyo, Japan 105-8459
TEL +81-3-6401-2111

link.png Links

 Info click here to view more info

( from their site ) - Since its founding in 1881, Seiko Holdings Corporation has introduced one revolutionary product after another, including the first wrist watch in Japan in 1913 and the first quartz watch in the world in 1969. We now operate in a broad range of fields, from watches, clocks, shutters for cameras and electronic devices, and eyeglasses to sports products.

Editor's Note: (July 2008) The Seiko STX1 Vibration-Sensing Clip-on Chromatic Tuner is a new tuner that I'm using on my ukuleles. I've used the Meisel, Korg and Intellitouch clip-on tuners.

The Meisel rattles and the Korg didn't hold up to my travels of toting a ukulele everywhere and the Intellitouch's battery cover won't stay on.


In the UK there is the clip on chromatic tuner Guitar Tech GT75 Clip-On Chromatic Tuner

Tuners are showing up in all shapes and sizes these days.

Ukulele Tunings (ukuleleTunings.shtml) | Updated: 2008 Jul 21 - 11:27

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