Music theory Your instrument
Ukulele
Ukulele sizes, standard G4 C4 E4 A4 re-entrant tuning, the low-G option and other tunings, plus first theory for players.
Practise this on its own page: Reference pitch for tuning, Chord progressions.
What a ukulele is
The ukulele is a small, guitar-like instrument with four strings, usually made of nylon. It was developed in Hawaii from small guitar-like instruments brought by Portuguese immigrants.
The four most common sizes are soprano, concert, tenor and baritone. Bigger ukuleles usually have more frets: a soprano often has 12 to 15, and a baritone around 18 to 21.
Standard tuning: G4 C4 E4 A4
Soprano, concert and tenor ukuleles are usually tuned G4, C4, E4, A4. Many players remember this as 'GCEA'.
This is called a re-entrant tuning: one string breaks the low-to-high order. Here the G string is higher than the C string next to it, which gives the ukulele its bright sound.
| Tuning | Notes | Used for |
|---|---|---|
| Standard (high G) | G4 C4 E4 A4 | Soprano, concert and tenor |
| Low G | G3 C4 E4 A4 | A deeper, fuller alternative |
| D tuning | A4 D4 F#4 B4 | Older style, common in early 20th-century Hawaiian music |
| Baritone | D3 G3 B3 E4 | Baritone ukulele, same as the top four guitar strings |
The low-G option
With low-G tuning, the G string is tuned an octave lower, to G3. The note names are still G, C, E, A, so all your chord shapes stay the same.
Because the G is lower, low-G tuning gives a deeper sound and a few extra low notes for melodies.
First theory for ukulele players
Most ukulele music uses chord symbols and chord boxes, like guitar. A chord box shows the four strings as vertical lines and the frets as horizontal lines, with dots for your fingers.
The key of C major is a friendly place to start, because all four open strings (G, C, E and A) are notes of the C major scale.
Practice tips
General tips teachers often give:
- Tune up every time you play, using a tuner or app.
- Practise changing between two chords slowly until the change is smooth.
- Keep strumming steady, even if a chord does not sound perfect yet.