Before you can start playing your ukulele, you have to tune it.
And this can seem impossible when you’re a complete beginner.
But if you persevere you’ll get the knack in a short time, with the help of a clip-on tuner or a tuning app on your phone.
Here’s my Youtube video about how to your ukulele with a tuner.
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 folk have more of a knack for music, but for most people it’s a matter of experience and practice.
Ukulele strings tuning notes
The ukulele tuning I use is called “ukulele in C”.
This is 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.
Different kinds of tuners
Clip-on tuners
A great place to start is with an electronic ukulele tuner, which clips onto the ukulele. You can buy these from specialist music shops for under $US30.
There are many different models of tuner. Make sure you get a tuner that’s specifically for ukulele. That will make it easier for you.
There are also chromatic tuners that work for all instruments, but they’re not easy for a beginner ukulele player.
Here’s a link to the clip-on tuner that I use currently. 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. This is very handy – but these are the more expensive ukuleles.
Tuning apps on your phone
There are lots of free ukulele 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 these. There are many other good ones as well.)
How often do you need to tune a ukulele?
Check your tuning every day, and before you play. Ukuleles go out of tune very easily.
As I mentioned earlier, it’s much easier to tune a ukulele that is not too far out of tune.
Sometimes you’ll find that your ukulele goes out of tune after you’ve played a few songs. That’s not a problem when you know how to tune it!
More beginner questions?
Click here for my Beginners Guide To Ukulele.
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Check out my Self-study Beginner Ukulele course
Take a deeper dive with my Strum With Alice Self-study Beginner Ukulele Course.
This USD $75 self-study course takes you from absolute beginner to confident player—based on my experience teaching hundreds of new uke players like you.
You’ll learn how to play a bunch of easy ukulele beginner songs. Comes with videos and a downloadable ukulele beginner songbook.
Learn more about the course here: Strum With Alice Self-study Beginner Ukulele
More reading
Beginners Guide To Ukulele – Start Playing Today
How To Choose Your First Ukulele
Top 7 Handy Ukulele Accessories
Over the Rainbow and Beyond: A Realistic Guide for Ukulele Beginners
Do You Use a Pick With a Ukulele?
How To Play Ukulele Without Getting a Sore Hand
Why Kids Need Music – and How You Can Help With Ukulele
Do I have To Read Music To Play Ukulele?