Ukulele tunings

The ukulele can be set to a great variety of tunings. High G (re-entrant) and low G (linear) are the two most common tunings. But retuning a couple of strings—or even just one—gives the performer access to new sonic worlds and chord vocings.

High G (G4 C4 E4 A4)

The most common ukulele tuning, also known as C6 tuning or re-entrant tuning. The fourth string (G) is tuned higher than the third string (C), giving the ukulele its characteristic bright, cheerful sound, when strummed. This tuning allows the usage of the campanella technique on fingerpicking arrangements, and serves well when playing clawhammer.

13 available videos, including

• Sunday's Rag
• Tuesday's Rag
• Graciela's
• Waltz of the Turtles
• Felices fiestas (by chuck)
• Study No. 1: Tenderness
• Reid's
• Study No. 2: Angel Island
• Saturday's Rag
• Dance of the Zeroes
• Nana para Greta
• Donald's
• Friday's Rag

Low G (G3 C4 E4 A4)

A linear tuning where the fourth string (G) is tuned an octave lower than in high-G tuning. This creates a more bass-heavy sound with a fuller range, making it popular for fingerstyle arrangements and solo playing. The extended register calls for arrangements using two or more counterpoint voices.

8 available videos, including

• Plaza del inglés
• Aurora vieja (de Sariñena)
• Waltz in Blue
• Medina Albaida
• Habanera del Tío Tieso
• Péinase la niña
• Samba pra James
• La zarza

Baritone (D3 G3 B3 E4)

The standard tuning for baritone ukulele, tuned a fourth lower than the soprano/concert/tenor ukulele. This tuning matches the top four strings of a guitar, making it easy for guitarists to transition while maintaining the ukulele’s portability.

3 available videos, including

• Brevity for Lorraine
• Brevity for Pam
• Brevity for Eloína

Any G (G3|G4 C4 E4 A4)

We classify under this tuning pieces where the actual octave of the G string is irrelevant, or arrangements created for five-string configurations.

2 available videos, including

• Mathilda's Waltz No. 1
• Mathilda's Waltz No. 4

Taro Patch (G3 C3 E4 G4)

An open C tuning that produces a C major chord when strummed open. Also known as “slack key” tuning, it’s popular in Hawaiian music and makes it easy to play simple chord-based songs and drones.

2 available videos, including

• Blues for Hardy
• Calle Mayor

Open F (F3 C4 F4 A4)

An open F major tuning apt for bluesy arrangements.

1 available videos, including

• Jolly Good

Wahine (G3 B3 E4 G4)

The Wahine tuning rings a major sevent chord when open strings are strum. A cool feature of this tuning is tha tone can play both the tonic and the dominant chords of the main key using just one finger.

1 available videos, including

• Milonga Wahine