tuneit.G–C–E–A does not tell the whole story
Common soprano, concert, and tenor ukulele tuning uses G–C–E–A, read from string 4 to string 1. With high G, the G is above the C in pitch. With low G, it is below the C. The letter stays the same, but the G moves by an octave.
| String | High G | Low G |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | G4 | G3 |
| 3 | C4 | C4 |
| 2 | E4 | E4 |
| 1 | A4 | A4 |
The small number is the octave, not the string number. A tuner showing only “G” may not make the distinction obvious. Choose the intended tuning and check the register as well as the letter.
Why high G is called reentrant
A high-G setup does not rise smoothly from the fourth string to the first: it starts high, drops to C, and then rises through E and A. That change of direction is called reentrant tuning. Low G creates an ascending sequence from G through C, E, and A.
Neither pattern is a mistake. They simply offer different notes for melodies and arrangements. When following a lesson, use the setup the teacher expects so that individual string notes sound as intended.
Change the string, not just the setting
To move to low G, use a low-G string appropriate for your ukulele’s size and setup. Changing the app’s target does not change the physical string. Simply loosening an unsuitable high-G string is not a dependable substitute for fitting the right one.
Check the string maker’s instructions and your instrument’s fit. If the new string binds in the nut or its seating looks wrong, ask a technician rather than altering the instrument casually. Do not raise a low-G string an octave just to match a high-G preset.
Tune the setup you actually have
- Identify the installed G string from the packaging or the person who fitted it.
- Select high G or low G to match that string.
- Play one open string at a time, keeping the other strings quiet.
- Make small pitch changes, checking the note and octave where available.
- Check C, E, and A next, then play a familiar chord and recheck.
New strings can need repeated checks while they settle. If a string keeps drifting, tune carefully again rather than tightening it far beyond the target.
Choose by the music you want to play
If a lesson uses a high-G arrangement, staying with high G makes it easier to hear the same melody. Low G gives you access to lower melody notes without changing the other three strings. Try the setup that serves your arrangement rather than assuming one is an upgrade.
These targets are not universal for every instrument called a ukulele. A baritone or bass ukulele can require different notes and strings. Start with the maker’s intended tuning before choosing a preset.