Low G ukulele tuning (G C E A, linear)
Fingerstyle and solo players, tenor ukulele owners, and anyone who misses the bass notes.
Low G tuning keeps the same note names, G C E A, but the fourth string is tuned an octave lower, to G3 below the C. The strings now run low to high, which is called linear tuning.
You gain five extra notes at the bottom and a fuller, more guitar-like sound; you lose a little of the chiming reentrant sparkle. Fingerstyle and jazz players often prefer it.
Notes and frequencies
From the fourth string to the thinnest, at concert pitch (A4 = 440 Hz). Changed strings are highlighted.
| String | Note | Frequency (A4 = 440 Hz) | Change from standard |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | G3 | 196.00 Hz | −12 semitones from G4 |
| 3 | C4 | 261.63 Hz | as standard |
| 2 | E4 | 329.63 Hz | as standard |
| 1 | A4 | 440.00 Hz | as standard |
From standard tuning
- String 4: lower G4 down an octave to G3.
The other 3 strings stay in standard.
Tuning to Low G in TuneGlass
- Open Settings and choose ukulele.
- Tap any string circle to open the tuning editor and choose Low G from the presets. Presets beyond the thickest string are part of TuneGlass Pro, a one-time purchase.
- Play one string at a time. The needle turns green and the scale fills when the string is in tune. Hold a string circle to hear its reference note.
Tips
- You need a dedicated low-G string, which is thicker (and often wound). A normal high-G string will not go down an octave without becoming unplayable.
- TuneGlass has a Low G preset in ukulele mode so the fourth circle expects G3 instead of G4.
Questions
What is Low G ukulele tuning?
G C E A with the G an octave below standard, so the strings run in order from low to high.
Do I need a different string for Low G?
Yes. Low-G strings are sold singly or in sets; the standard high-G string cannot be tuned that low.
Related tunings
English · Deutsch · Español · 日本語 · Українська