Before you can start playing your ukulele, you have to tune it.
And this can seem challenging when you’re a complete beginner.
But if you persevere you’ll get the knack in a short time, with the help of an electronic tuner or an app. Here’s my Youtube video about tuning your ukulele.
Everyday tuning
Up till a few years ago, beginner ukulele players had to learn to tune by ear straight away. Tuning by ear means learning to hear the different notes of the strings.
But these days electronic tuners and tuning apps make it a lot easier to get your ukulele in tune. And your “ear” – your ability to hear the different notes – will get better with practice. I’ve known tone-deaf people who learned to sing in tune with the help of an electronic tuner.
The idea that some people are tone deaf is unique to Western culture – no other cultures worldwide have tone deaf people. Some people have more of a knack for music, but it’s a matter of experience and practice.
What notes to tune to?
The ukulele tuning I use is called “ukulele in C”. It’s by far the most common ukulele tuning. There are other tunings, but especially if you’re a beginner don’t worry about these.
The notes, from the top string downwards (when you hold the ukulele in playing position) are G, C, E, A.
Electronic tuners
A great place to start is with an electronic ukulele tuner, which clips to the ukulele. You can buy these from specialist music shops for under $30.
Make sure you get a tuner that’s specifically for ukulele. There are chromatic tuners that work for all instruments, but they’re not easy for a beginner ukulele player.
Here’s a link to the tuner that I have. It has a USB recharger, so no batteries to replace.
Set the tuner on “ukulele” or “ukulele in C” and it will automatically show the right notes.
NB it is much easier to practice tuning when the strings aren’t too far out of tune, so ask a friend or a music shop person to tune your ukulele for you, to start with.
Inbuilt tuners
Some models of ukulele come with an inbuilt electronic tuner, which is very handy. (But they are the more expensive ukuleles.)
Tuning apps
There are lots of free tuning apps, but some aren’t suitable for beginner ukulele players. Here are links to some apps and online tuners that I think are quite easy to use. (I don’t get any bonus for recommending them. There are many other good ones as well.)
Ukulele Tuner Free By Lior Hai
When to tune?
Ukuleles go out of tune very easily. Check the tuning every day or every time you play.
Sometimes you’ll find that your ukulele goes out of tune after you’ve played a few songs. That’s no problem when you know how to tune it!
Other beginner stuff
Click here for my beginner ukulele toolkit post.
Hi, I’m Alice
I’ve been in love with the ukulele since my mother, Sue, taught me three chords when I was six.
I teach ukulele to adult learners all over the world via Zoom and Skype. If you happen to live in Hamilton, New Zealand, I also teach in-person classes.
Click this link to book online ukulele lessons with me. $US160 for six half-hour lessons.
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Photographed by Brooke Baker