Those who don’t have a music background may find it difficult to tune a ukulele. With some knowledge of the strings and how to use the right tools, they will help you to tune a ukulele. In this article, let us elaborate on how to tune a ukulele with a few tips for beginners.
Use Tuners Or Other Reference Instruments:
1. Download a tuning app or use a clip-on ukulele tuner:
To handle the strings, the tuner is the right way for beginners to learn easily. You can also download the tuner app and learn to play your open strings. The tuner will record your response and listen to the pitch carefully to inform you whether it is sharp or flat.
In the case of sharp pitch, you need to loosen the string while you turn the right peg. But if the pitch is flat, you must tighten the string and turn the peg in the opposite direction. Soon after you tune the string, you must repeat the same process for other strings.
Example: If you are tuning the string E, but the tuner shows “D”, then the string is so loose and has a different sound note.
2. On A Piano, Try Playing G, C, E, And A & Tune Your Strings To Match:
On a piano, find a key that is related to a string on the ukulele. Listen to the proper pitch once you press the piano key, and now, you need to pluck the matching string on the ukulele.
This is to determine whether it is the same sound. When it sounds higher, turn the string’s tuning peg clockwise. This will loosen it as well as lower the pitch to match it. If it sounds lower, you need to carry out the opposite method.
Some keyboards come with a sustain pedal which you need to press it using your foot. You should do this after hitting a key to note the long resonating. This procedure will help you to compare pitches.
You hear a pulsing sound, meaning two pitches out of tune at a time. With the pulsing getting faster, notes will go out of tune. But when the pulsing slows, you should understand that the notes are closer in tune.
Here are the locations of the ukulele’s string pitches:
- G4 – String 4 indicates the 4th G from the keyboard’s left or the 28th position white key
- C4 – String 3 indicates the 4th C from the keyboard’s left or the 24th position white key
- E4 – String 2 indicates the 4th E from the keyboard’s left or the 26h position white key
- A4 – String 1 indicates the 5h A from the keyboard’s left or the 29th position white key
3. Go For A Chromatic Or Ukulele Pitch Pipe For Reference Notes:
You may see a circular chromatic pitch pipe on the ukulele, which lets you play 12 notes in 1 octave. At the same time, a ukulele pitch pipe looks like a small pan pipe that lets you play only 4 notes. On any one of the tools, you can blow into it and check the corresponding action on the ukulele string. Adjust the tuning peg until you notice the string’s pitch matches the pipe’s one.
4. Use A Tuning Fork To Match The Pitch:
A tuning fork is a metallic tool that vibrates and produces a pitch when you struck it. If you have tuning forks corresponding to the pitches of each string, you can use them to adjust the pitch.
How Do You Tune The Strings By Ear?
1. Start With The C String First:
Firstly, you need to start with the lowest string on the ukulele, the C string. It is the right place to build the tuning foundation. Then, play the middle C (C4) on the keyboard and come to the tuning peg to match by adjusting it.
2. Go With An E On The in-tune C String:
Keep your finger on the 4th fret over the string for playing E (E4). Now you should hear the same pitch as that of your E string. For reference, you can play the same on the C string and then go for adjusting the E string’s tuning peg. To get the differences between pitches, you need to play both strings continuously, one after the other.
3. Play G On The in-tune E String:
Over the E string, you need to press the 3rd fret to get the G above the middle C (G4). Again follow the above procedure to adjust the G string’s tuning peg until you find the match.
4. Go With An A On The in-tune C String:
Finally, place your finger on the 2nd fret to get the A above the middle C (A4). It should be the same pitch as you’re A string will be. For reference, you need to pluck the G string and adjust the tuning peg of the A string. Again you need to look for matching the pitch and check back-to-back for the same results.
Guide For Playing Ukulele String & Peg:
- First, memorize the string’s names and locations to use them comfortably. You will find four strings from bottom to top with numbers.
- 1st String – A String
- 2nd String – E String
- 3rd String – C String
- 4th String – G String
- Listen to the pitches of each string and get familiar with them to tune the ukulele. For instance, you can memorize like
- C string – Lowest string
- E string- Second lowest string
- G string – Third lowest string
- A string – The highest string
- Furthermore, you need to find the frets before tuning a ukulele. Such frets are thin strips of wire that you will find on the fretboard running perpendicular to the strings. They are usually numbered from the nut so the one near it is number 1. They will help you direct where to press your fingers on the string to get different pitches.
The Bottom Line:
So, the above article helps you how to tune a ukulele easily for beginners. Thus, learn the tips and tricks before practicing and playing the ukulele.
Also read: 5 Unexpected Things that Your Voice Indicates to Another Person Who is Hearing You
