How to Tune Tenor Ukuleles
Ukulele is a string instrument of Hawaiian origins that has gained some popularity in United States during the 20th century. It closely resembles a guitar and comes in four different sizes that differ by the way they sound. Between the four types that include soprano, concert and baritone, tenor ukuleles are emerging as the most widespread form of these guitar-like instruments.
The tenor is the second largest ukulele and is now more common for the six-string taropatch ukuleles. With a scale length of 17″ (43 cm) and total length of 26″ (66 cm), the way their nylon strings are tuned is slightly different from their better known counterpart.
This problem was generally reserved to be solved by skilled solo players, but as with any instrument that has enjoyed some popularity, amateur players who were eager to play it need to know how to tune tenor ukuleles. This article will describe three different ways of how it can be done.
Re-Entrant C Tuning
The re-entrant C, known also as high-G, is arguably the most conventional way of tuning the instrument, traditionally used by most ukulele players. The tuning GCEA makes G string higher than the C and E strings.
- The C string corresponds to the C on a piano.
- The fourth fret of the C string corresponds to the note for the E string.
- The third fret of the E string corresponds to the note for the G string.
- The fifth fret of the E string corresponds to the note for the A string.
Re-Entrant D Tuning
Re-entrant D tuning is GCEA. This is an emerging method of tuning a tenor ukulele, which is staring to gain popularity among new players. Several companies that manufacture these instruments have tuned their ukuleles in this manner by default. It gives them more of a standard guitar feel, which probably makes them more accessible to newcomers.
Low-G Tuning
This form of tuning ukuleles is currently on the rise and on its way to becoming the most popular way of handling the instrument. The GCEA tuning comes along with a G that’s tune below the C string.
The low-G tenor ukulele tuning corresponds to the top four strings of a guitar with a capo at the fifth fret. It increases the instrument’s flexibility with bass notes, which is useful for playing a solo when nobody is providing provide a bass line.
Conclusion
Re-entrant C tuning is generally believed to be more suitable for strummers. Solo players, on the other hand, will benefit from the additional bass notes provided by low-G tuning. Those who want to be unique can’t go wrong with choosing D tuning as their preferred method.
While some ways of how to tune tenor ukuleles may be more popular than others, your choice should ultimately be decided by your individual style and preferences. As the instrument can’t compare to a regular guitar in popularity, a little bit of individuality will always be appreciated when coming from an ukulele player.
