How to Tune a Tenor Ukulele

The tenor ukulele is becoming one of the most popular of the four sizes of ukulele (soprano, concert, tenor and baritone). Traditionally, it has been an instrument for skilled and experienced solo ukulele players (and is still the most popular ukulele amongst such people). However, with so many ukulele heroes playing the tenor ukulele, an increasing number of beginners starting with the tenor ukulele. This does create some confusion as there are a number of options for how to tune the tenor ukulele.

Re-Entrant C-Tuning

The re-entrant C (also called high-G sometimes) is the traditional way to tune the ukulele. The tuning is GCEA with the G string being higher than the C and E strings.

The C is the middle C of the piano.

The fourth fret of the C string will give you the note for the E string.

The third fret of the E string will give you the note for the G string.

The fifth fret of the E string will give you the note for the A string.

Low-G Tuning

This is slowly becoming the most popular tuning for the tenor ukulele. This tuning is also GCEA , but rather than being tuned high, the G string is tuned below the C string.

This gives the tenor ukulele more the feel of a guitar (the tuning of a low-G tenor ukulele is the same as the top four strings of a guitar capoed at the fifth fret). It gives the ukulele more options for playing bass notes: which can be very helpful when you are playing solo and need to provide your own bass line accompaniment.

Re-Entrant D-Tuning

This is a relatively new tuning for the tenor ukulele. The Aquila company make strings for the tenor uke that can be tuned DGBE. This is the same as a guitar but with the D string tuned high (the same as the G string in the re-entrant C tuning).

Conclusion

When you decide which tuning is the best for you, you need to take into account your own style of playing. If you are mostly a strummer, re-entrant C will probably be the best choice for you. If you are more interested in solo playing, low-G might be the one for you.

Once you've decided how to tune it, make sure the tenor ukulele that you buy is set up for that tuning and double check that you have bought the right size strings for your choice of tenor ukulele tuning.