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Ukulele tuning
D Tuning
Everything a whole step above standard — the older, brighter voice of the ukulele.
Ukulele · 2 + 2
4th
A4
440.0 Hz
3rd
D4
293.7 Hz
2nd
F♯4
370.0 Hz
1st
B4
493.9 Hz
Note names won’t tune your ukulele.
Knowing the strings should read A D F♯ B is the easy half. Landing each frequency — and knowing whether you are nine cents flat or three — is the half that needs an ear or an instrument.
1
Open Dial and play a string
It listens as soon as you play. Nothing to press.
2
Turn each peg until the needle centres
Every string tunes up a whole step from standard: A, D, F sharp, B.
3
Check the remaining strings
Changing tension on one string shifts the neck slightly. The rest usually need a nudge.
Get Dial for iPhone
Standard tuning free
Alternate tunings, one-time unlock
Alternate tunings, one-time unlock
What D tuning is for
The dominant tuning of the ukulele's first golden age: sweeter and louder on a soprano, and what much early-20th-century sheet music assumes. Chord shapes are unchanged from standard; everything simply sounds a step higher.
A few chords to try
D
Open
G
Open
A
Open