There’s nothing more tragic than a beautifully played, horribly out-of-tune ukulele. You can have perfect rhythm, angelic vocals, and a face like George Formby himself — but if your strings are off, it’ll sound like two seagulls arguing over chips. Let’s fix that.
The Basics: Standard Ukulele Tuning
For most ukes, the strings go (from top to bottom when you’re holding it):
G – C – E – A
Think of it as “Good Cats Eat Alfalfa.” Works every time.
That top string — the G — is what makes a ukulele sound like a ukulele. It’s usually tuned higher than the C, a setup called re-entrant tuning, which gives you that bright, cheeky bounce. If your G sounds lower than the C, you’ve probably got a low-G setup. Both are fine — just know what you’ve got before panicking.
Three Ways to Tune (From Lazy to Nerdy)
1. Clip-on Tuner (a.k.a. The Easy Way)
Stick it on the headstock, pluck a string, and let the screen guide you. Green = good, red = nope. A decent clip-on tuner costs about the same as a pint and works miracles, even in noisy pubs. (decent option is https://amzn.to/4n5paLh)
2. Tuning Apps (for the phone-addicted)
Apps like Fender Tune or GuitarTuna listen through your mic. Works fine at home, but a pain outdoors unless you want to serenade your neighbours with beeps.
3. By Ear (for show-offs and purists)
Once you’ve got one string right (say, the A), you can tune the others to it using online tone generators or your smug musician friend’s perfect pitch. It’s satisfying, but let’s be honest — most of us reach for the clip-on.
When It Just Won’t Stay in Tune
So you’ve tuned up, played for five minutes, and suddenly everything sounds like a dying cat again. Welcome to the world of new strings. They stretch — a lot. Expect to retune frequently for the first few days.
If your uke never holds pitch, even after weeks:
- The strings might be cheap rubbery nonsense. Get a decent set (Aquila or D’Addario).
- The tuners might be loose. Tighten the little screws on the back.
- The weather might be a jerk. Humidity swings wreak havoc on wood — try not to store your uke in the bathroom.
Pro Tip: Tune Before You Play, Every Time
Even pros do it. The best-sounding ukulele is a tuned ukulele — doesn’t matter if it’s a £30 beginner model or a £3000 koa masterpiece.
After a few weeks, your ear will start recognising what “in tune” sounds like. That’s when you level up — you’ll know instinctively when something’s off, and you’ll fix it without panic or apps.
Final Thought
Tuning isn’t a chore; it’s foreplay for your music. A freshly tuned uke feels alive — bright, perky, ready for mischief. Get those strings singing and you’ll love your sound a whole lot more.
Now go on — clip, pluck, twist, and make it sweet.
