Tenor Ukulele Tuning - A Tips Guide For First-Timers

The tenor ukulele is the 2nd largest of 4 distinct lengths that define the ukulele family: soprano, concert, tenor, and baritone. The greater the scale length of a uke, the greater the volume and the greater the bass. A tenor uke will have a scale length (the length from the nut to the bridge) of 17" along with an overall length of 26". Although tenor ukes have grown extremely popular, they actually started out being preferred by just a somewhat small number of skilled players, such as Jake Shimabukuro.

This has now changed, with the tenor ukulele becoming a popular choice for novices. I wanted to create this short article in order to reply to a common question associated with the way to tune a tenor uke, which can be a tad confusing at the beginning, seeing as there are 3 ways to tune one: gc'e'a' (re-entrant c-tuning), g'c'e'a' (low-G tuning), or d'gbe' (re-entrant D tuning).

First off, let's start using the standard method: Re- Entrant C-Tuning.

Your G string needs to be higher than the C and E strings.

Your C is exactly like the middle C of a piano.

Your 4th fret of the C string is the same as the open E string.

Our 3rd fret of the E string is equivalent to the un-fretted G string.

Your 5th fret of the E string is going to be exactly like the open A string.

Second, the Low G tuning, which is over time becoming a very popular approach to tune the tenor ukulele, possibly as it more closely resembles a guitar. I prefer to tune mine using this method for solo performing, since you are able to create a bass accompaniment. To implement this tuning, just simply go through the above process, with the exception that the G string has to be tuned lower than the C string.

Finally, the least common is re-entrant D tuning - a somewhat new technique. You are going to want some non-standard strings so that you can make use of this tuning. This is also much like a guitar, but with the D string tuned higher.

Curious about how to decide upon which way to tune for your style of play? This is an effective general guideline:

Strummers - re-entrant C

Solo playing - low G

One example of exactly how I would tune a tenor ukulele to low G (g'c'e'a') is as follows:-

Hold down the second string (from the top) at the 4th fret, and pick it alternating with your open string underneath it. Tune this open 3rd string to sound the same as fretted one above it.

Then, hold down your third string (from top) at the 5th fret, and then tune the string beneath it so they sound the same.

Finally, tune your top string by simply holding it down on the 2nd fret, and tuning it in order to sound like your bottom string.

Have fun.