Next Question
RSS
I think that the 4-string tenor ukulele is probably one of the best instruments that I make. It's also one of my favorites to listen to, so I wanted to spend a little time talking about several ways that the instrument can be tuned.
These days, at least in Hawaii, the most common tuning for the 4-string tenor is G(4th), C(3rd), E(2nd), A(1st). Historically, this is called the "C" tuning, perhaps because C was the lowest note in the soprano tuning. Let's first get you up to speed with the tenor tuning and then discuss two other tunings after that.
I use Savarez Alliance standard tensions (red card) for my soprano, concert and tenor treble strings : 541R for the A, 542R for the E and 543R for the C. I use D'Addario Pro Arte SP Light D strings (YB-J4304) for both the low G and low A bass strings.
Unlike the soprano (also called standard) and concert sized ukuleles, the G in the GCEA tuning for the tenor is lower than the C note. Here is a sound file of the open G string: openGtune.wav (to download double-click or option-click). The sound files are each about 250K and may take a little while to download.
Play the file and adjust the fourth string (usually a silver colored one) so that it sounds the same to you. Alternatively if you have a soprano ukulele pitch pipe with gCEA notes on it, press the fourth string down at the 12th fret and tune the string so that it's the same as the g on the pitch pipe.
Source(s):
http://www.ukuleles.com/SetupnCare/TenorTune.html
http://www.ezfolk.com/uke/Tuning/tuning.html and http://www.get-tuned.com/ukulele_tuning_methods.php will help you tune it
Permalink | Report
Answered Question
December 17, 2008 10:29 AM
What is the tuning for the Ukulele?
I am a guitarist and my ten year old daughter has requested a Ukulele for Christmas as she wants to play with me. I have played the mandolin before and assuming the same technique and tuning. Would appreciate any pointers.
Interesting Question?
Yes (0)
No (0)
- In Learn To Play |
- |
- Report |
-
Share
RSS
Best Answer Chosen by Asker
| December 17, 2008 10:34 AM |
These days, at least in Hawaii, the most common tuning for the 4-string tenor is G(4th), C(3rd), E(2nd), A(1st). Historically, this is called the "C" tuning, perhaps because C was the lowest note in the soprano tuning. Let's first get you up to speed with the tenor tuning and then discuss two other tunings after that.
I use Savarez Alliance standard tensions (red card) for my soprano, concert and tenor treble strings : 541R for the A, 542R for the E and 543R for the C. I use D'Addario Pro Arte SP Light D strings (YB-J4304) for both the low G and low A bass strings.
Unlike the soprano (also called standard) and concert sized ukuleles, the G in the GCEA tuning for the tenor is lower than the C note. Here is a sound file of the open G string: openGtune.wav (to download double-click or option-click). The sound files are each about 250K and may take a little while to download.
Play the file and adjust the fourth string (usually a silver colored one) so that it sounds the same to you. Alternatively if you have a soprano ukulele pitch pipe with gCEA notes on it, press the fourth string down at the 12th fret and tune the string so that it's the same as the g on the pitch pipe.
Source(s):
http://www.ukuleles.com/SetupnCare/TenorTune.html
http://www.ezfolk.com/uke/Tuning/tuning.html and http://www.get-tuned.com/ukulele_tuning_methods.php will help you tune it
| Asker's Rating: |
Permalink | Report
Answer this Question
Related Questions
Ask a Question
Buy Mahalo Dollars with Credit Card or PayPal
Top Members
Most Popular Tags
Categories
- Anonymous
- Arts & Design
- Beauty & Style
- Books & Authors
- Business
- Cars & Transportation
- Consumer Electronics
- Coupons Deals
- Education
- Entertainment
- Environment
- Fitness
- Food & Drink
- From Email
- From Iphone
- From Twitter
- Health
- History
- Hobbies
- Home & Garden
- How Tos
- Humor
- Jobs
- Legal
- Local
- Love & Relationships
- Mahalo Answers Community
- Money
- Music
- News
- NSFW
- Parenting
- Pets
- Science & Mathematics
- Services
- Shopping
- Social Science
- Society & Culture
- Sports
- Technology & Internet
- Travel
- Video Games
Welcome New Members
- harleygal831, November 26, 2009 03:04 PM
- 2cherylcxko313, November 26, 2009 02:54 PM
- diegomay, November 26, 2009 02:38 PM
- stephaniehayes, November 26, 2009 02:32 PM
- fb_100000085326..., November 26, 2009 02:22 PM
Mahalo Dollars are the currency of Mahalo Answers.
Each Mahalo Dollar costs $1.
Once you earn more than 40 Mahalo Dollars, you can request to be paid via PayPal. Each Mahalo Dollar is currently worth $0.75 when paid out via PayPal. Learn More
I have taken many lessons in my past from my grandfather and Roy Sakuma. I also got the chance as a kid to be in the same class as the (nowadays) great Jake Shimabukuro, and your insight and history on tuning a Ukulele is on the money and a great resource for all.
very helpful.
thank you my friend