Ukulele · 2 + 2
4th
G3
196.0 Hz
3rd
C4
261.6 Hz
2nd
E4
329.6 Hz
1st
G4
392.0 Hz
Note names won’t tune your ukulele.
Knowing the strings should read G C E G 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
Two strings move: the first drops a whole step to G4, and the fourth drops an octave to G3.
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 Open C is for
The first string drops a whole step to G and the fourth drops an octave, so the open strings ring a full C major an octave apart at the edges. Slide-friendly, and a quick route to drone-backed melody.
A few chords to try
C
Open
F
Barre 5th
G
Barre 7th