I know this is obvious to most people sorry, but often if your ukulele sounds bad it's just that it's a little out of tune. Changes in humidity or temperature (like playing outside) will make your ukulele out of tune, but just retune it a little and it's all fine.
So there are four main sizes in ukuleles. Soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. More recently the sopranissimo is also gaining popularity, this one is even smaller (16 inches, 40 cm) than the soprano sized ukulele. The soprano however is the most traditional size at 20 inches (51 cm).
Ukuleles traditionally have four strings, and the most common tuning is G-C-E-A (also called the C or C6 tuning and sometimes just the G tuning). Many players who came to the uke from the guitar prefer low-G, however. The strings are tuned like the first four strings of a guitar with a capo at the fifth fret.
Standard guitar tuning, starting from the thickest, lowest-pitched string (the 6th string) at the top of neck is: E – A – D – G – B – E – The high E string—the thinnest, highest-pitched string at the bottom of the neck—is known as the 1st string and all others follow suit.
A pitch pipe is a small device used to provide a pitch reference for musicians without absolute pitch. Although it may be described as a musical instrument, it is not typically used to play music as such. Technically, it is a harmonica; however, it lacks many characteristics of harmonicas.
Avoid putting the pitch pipe in pockets. Pocket lint can get inside the blow holes and block the airflow or damage the internal reed. Run warm water through the pipe, occasionally, to clean it out. Do not use any soap or cleaning agent as it can damage the internal structure.
Chromatic Pitch Pipe (free) is a free software application from the Audio File Players subcategory, part of the Audio & Multimedia category. The app is currently available in English and it was last updated on 2013-11-05. The program can be installed on Android.
To tune a guitar without a tuner, start by fretting the low E string at the fifth fret, which is the lowest and thickest string on your guitar. Next, play the A string and tune it up or down until it matches the sound from the E string. Then, match the D and G strings to the E string.
Standard tuning defines the string pitches as E, A, D, G, B, and E, from lowest (low E2) to highest (high E4). Standard tuning is used by most guitarists, and frequently used tunings can be understood as variations on standard tuning.
How to Tune a Guitar Step-by-Step:
- Step 1: Start by tuning the low E String.
- Step 2: Next, tune the A String.
- Step 3: Tune the D String.
- Step 4: Tune the G String.
- Step 5: Tune the B String.
- Step 6: Tune the High E String.
There are a few reasons why a uke won't stay in tune, but most of the time it's the strings. It's completely normal for new strings (or the strings on a new uke) to go out of tune frequently as they “settle in.” This isn't the sign of cheap or defective strings—it's just the way uke strings are!
The most common ukuleles, the soprano and tenor ukuleles, have their 4 strings tuned GCEA: the G below middle C (low G), middle C, E, and A. Each string is tensed or loosened with a tuning knob at the top of the fretboard. Locate the tuning pegs.
To adjust the pitch of the ukulele strings, loosen or tighten the tuners or tuning pegs. Tightening the strings will raise the pitch, and loosening the strings will lower the pitch. The direction you twist the tuners can vary by instrument. Be careful not to make them too tight.
Typically your reference note is middle C. When you blow on the pitch pipe, or play the note on the piano, you hear middle C. Then, you must twist the tuner on your ukulele until it matches. If you twist counter clockwise on the first two strings, you will tighten the string, and make it go up in pitch.
Finding the best tuner for ukulele can be a hard task, but this list is here to help with that.
- Snark Ukulele Clip On Tuner.
- Fender FT-0004 Clip-On Chromatic Tuner.
- Planet Waves PW-CT-12 NS Micro Headstock Tuner.
- Snark SN6X Clip-On Tuner for Ukulele.
- KLIQ UberTuner Clip-On Tuner for All Instruments.
As you can see, the bottom string or first string is tuned to an A. The second string is tuned to an E. The third string is tuned to a C, and the fourth string or top string of the ukulele is tuned to a G.
GCEA tuning (1st string: A, 2nd string: E, 3rd string: C, 4th string: G) is the most widely used ukulele tuning, as far as I know. It is also lends itself well to learning notation, and basic chords are quite easy. It can be used for soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles without any problems.
Soprano, concert, and tenor size ukuleles are all tuned the same way: G-C-E-A. This is known as standard tuning. Baritone ukuleles have a different tuning: D-G-B-E. While this tuning has a musical relationship to the other sizes (it's five half steps lower) it's still in its own category.
In Stock. Bought as a '
cheap'
tuner to carry around. The instrument setting are great - I have used on
ukulele, mandolin, 12 and 6 string guitars, bass - all tuned well.
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Together, they complete the 12 note set that is described as an “octave.” Once you complete the 12 notes, you'll start over with the same notes, just an octave higher or lower. On the ukulele, each fret is only “half a step,” or half a note, apart.
