Discuss this episode with other uke players HERE!
Hey there UUers! It’s time for another Uke Minutes!
After the many episodes of Uke Minutes created and featured here, we finally realized … we haven’t bothered to explain one of the most basic (and essential) elements of good ukulele playing – having a properly tuned ukulele! Until now.
By far, the easiest and most precise methods of tuning your ukulele is to have a digital chromatic tuner. This way, you will be able to tune your ukulele to the notes G, C, E, and A (from top to bottom strings), with excellent precision. Just remember the order of notes:
C | C#(Db) | D | D#(Eb) | E | F | F#(Gb) | G | G#(Ab) | A | A#(Bb) | B | C
By tightening a string, the pitch will slowly move up the scale. By loosening the string, the pitch will move down the scale. If you are using a digital tuner, tighten or loosen each string until it reaches its respective note.
In the video, Aldrine explains how to tune your ukulele, using only one reference note. By tuning the G string (top string on your ukulele) to a reference G note (correctly played on another instrument), you can tune the rest of your strings based on your correctly tuned G string.
You can also match your ukulele strings to the correctly tuned notes at the end of the video as a way to tune your ukulele!
As always, if you have any questions on this or any of the lessons here in the Underground, send a message to askaldrine(at)gmail.com or stop by the UU Forum and ask around!
A big MAHALO to everyone who helped spread the joy of music this holiday season (and all year long!)
Aloha,
-UU Staff
What Should I Learn Next?
“How to Play the Ukulele in 5 Minutes”
“Slack Key Tuning”