Beginner - tuning the ukulele

One of the most important aspects of any instrument, is keeping it in tune. If it's out of tune, the ukulele will sound terrible, and you'll think it's your sloppy playing. Here's a summary of a few methods for tuning your ukulele.

Using an Online Tuner

Tuning using an online ukulele tuner is fairly simple. You click on the corrosponding string online, and it plays the note that it is supposed to sound like. While the note is sounding from the computer, you gradually turn the tuning peg of the string until it matches the correct note. Do this for each of the strings, and you're all done.

Using a Real Tuner

For about $20 or so, you can buy a tuner. Instead of tuning a string relative to a note you sound, you can play into the tuner, and it will tell you how far off the string is. You then adjust the tuning peg for the string until the tuner shows that the note is correct. Do this for each string.

Tuning Tips

For beginners, it might seem hard to tune to an online tuner, because you'll need somewhat of a musical ear to tune relative to the notes you hear. Using a physical tuner is usually easier. However, we recommend using an online tuner, and be patient with it. This will help you develop a musical ear.

Always tune up. If you are tuning the G string, but your current string is at G#, you might think that you can just turn the tuning peg clockwise until the note is a G. You could do that, but the string is likely to go out of tune very fast. Instead, tune below the target note, to say an F# in this case. Then tune up from there to the target note, G. This will help keep the tension, and keep the string in tune longer.

Tune every time you play. Once you get better, tuning will only take a few seconds. It's good practice keep it in tune all the time.