Estimated reading time 4 minutes
Table of Contents
Tune the Ukulele with a Free Online Tuner #1: Get Four Different Versions of the Most Common Uke Tuning
Do you want to tune the ukulele with a free online tuner? If you’d like to get your ukulele into the standard ukulele tuning in equal temperament, don’t worry, I have what you need. However, did you know that the Hawaiians tune their instruments so that their ukes sound a lot better? Go to the next section and tune up the most common versions of the tuning.
“Why should I micro tune the ukulele?” Because the sound is more characteristic of the Hawaiian music style:
- In the next two sections, you’ll find soundtrack buttons that’ll help you tune four different versions of the standard uke tuning.
- Each version has a brief description. Also, there is a link to information on how to get into the tuning by ear the way the Hawaiians do.
- Give each version a try and see which are your favorites.
If you searched for “guitar tuner ukulele,” you’ve come to the right place.
- I have both a guitar tuner and ukulele tuner.
- The guitar tuner online helps you get into eight different versions of standard guitar tuning.
- To access it, click here: Guitar Tuner Online – Standard Guitar Tuning.
This post uses music terms. For definitions, see the Glossary at the end of the article.
Tune the Ukulele with a Free Online Tuner #2: Equal Temperament and the “My Dog Has Fleas” Micro Tuning
“How do you tune the ukulele with a free online tuner?” Like the guitar tuner, the ukulele tuner has buttons that you click. Listen to the soundtrack and compare it with the sound of your strings.
- The photo above gives you a chart of the string names.
- When adjusting your machine heads, be sure your strings match the sound you get when you click the buttons.
- Use the sound of the beating between the two notes to help you adjust your tuning. Turn the machine head so the string sounds higher or lower until the beating disappears.
Equal Temperament:
A1:
E2:
C3:
G4:
You’ll find this version of the tuning useful for playing non-Hawaiian styles of music.
With the next three tunings, you need to realize that you’re going to be micro tuning your strings:
- Each string, such as E2 or G4, won’t sound all that different when played by itself. You’ll only hear the difference when you begin strumming chords.
- For example, try playing each version of the tuning while strumming the chords of a song and see how it sounds.
- Make sure you use the same song to test the chords.
“My Dog Has Fleas” Micro Tuning:
A1:
E2:
C3:
G4:
When tuning the uke using the above buttons, you’re simulating the results the Hawaiians get when tuning by ear. They strum the open strings, sing the notes for “My Dog Has Fleas,” while turning the machine heads. To learn how to do this:
Tune the Ukulele with a Free Online Tuner #3: Whole Ensemble Tuning With SET
“How do you tune the ukulele with a free online tuner?” By using SET.
“What’s SET?” Not only do you have the more traditional options, but this experimental intonation system, Supplemented Equal Temperament (SET), gets your whole band in tune.
“My Dog Has Fleas” SET Version (2 Cent Resolution):
A1:
E2:
C3:
G4:
Adjust your synth’s tuning to SET so you can get all the instruments in your band in tune. To make this work, you’ll need to use the guitar tuner and ukulele tuner on this website. To learn how to tune up your band using the SET 2 Cent Resolution:
“What does 2 Cent Resolution mean?” To learn that, read:
“My Dog Has Fleas” SET Version – Multiple Chord Shapes:
A1:
E2:
C3:
G4:
This free online tuner has been designed so you can use multiple open chords. The chords will still sound better than equal temperament but aren’t quite as in tune as the previous two tunings.
Tune the Ukulele with a Free Online Tuner #4: Final Thoughts
I’ll leave you with these thoughts on Tune the Ukulele with a Free Online Tuner. Hawaiians tune their instruments differently:
There’s this beautiful stuff, sympathetic vibration… In a nutshell, that means we take that guitar and we pluck one string and the rest of them sing along….
Now that is magnified in these tunings we use. It becomes a more active instrument because of the mathematical relationships of the chord. (Beamer and Nelson 70)
More Thoughts:
- Start by using the soundtrack buttons to get each version of the tuning in your ear. After you’ve done that, learn how to tune them by ear: Tune Your Ukulele Like a Hawaiian.
- Unlike the guitar tuner, the ukulele tuner won’t have quite as large an impact on the sound. That’s because the uke has a different timbre from the guitar. However, it’ll still sound better than equal temperament.
- Try them all to compare and see which you like best.
Have fun playing!
Related Posts
- Tune Your Guitar Like a Hawaiian
- How to Tune C Wahine Like a Hawaiian
- Guitar Tuner Online – Standard Guitar Tuning
© 2024 Geoffrey Keith
Join me for in-person or online lessons today!
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