Tuning the Ukulele

I have recently taken an interest in the ukulele. The instrument in question is a Carlo Robelli 4 string soprano. I've checked out various related web sites for tuning info & I'm just a little confused about the proper tuning.One source says "1st course"A", 2nd course"E".3rd course"C", 4th course"G". I take it the high string is "G" like my bass or ??? Mnenehune Shirley...help me out here.

I'm just beginning on the uke too, here's a handy web page I use for tuning:

Ukulele tuning reference

I understand the common tuning for soprano ukulele is G-C-E-A, G being top (4th string), progressing down to A (1st string).

There's a pitch pipe available for tuning too.

Here's instructions for relative tuning:

1. Tune first string to A
2. On 2nd string E, place your finger on the fifth fret and tune the string to match the first string
3. on the 3rd string C, place your finger on the fourth fret and tune the string to match the second string.
4. Fourth string, place finger on second fret and tune to the first string

There's books, videos, and classes available for learning the ukulele, but I'm not yet familiar with what seems to work best yet.

Good luck with your playing!

:tiki:

Shipwreck,

Trader's right about the tuning G C E A, but forget about a pitch pipe and go buy an electronic tuner - it's far easier.

I just found out the Uke was born in Potugal. Is this true?

That's what I remember being told, that it came over in the 1800s with Portuguese coming to work in the sugar cane fields.

Whether fact or fiction, here's some interesting reading on the Ukulele's Origin.

UkeCadDad

Hey kids,
Thanks all for all the info and links, I have just started going to the uke club meetings here in Santa Cruz. George Kahumoku sat in last month, gave some tips and taught some tunes, it was pretty cool. That bruddah can play. He busted out some slack key ukulele. Amazing.
I know King Tiki frequents these meetings but I have yet to meet him. Maybe this Thursday he will be around at the next get together.
I have never really played a uke before seriously, only guitars. I have been shopping arounnd a bit for nice used concert uke. I got Menehune Shirley's number at the crawl. I will probally give her a call when I have more stashed away for it, unless I can hook up something locally. Anybody know what the price range is for a decent beginner uke?
Bong is correctamundo (thats a little fonziean) about electric tuner. A pitch pipe will drive you slowly insane. Unless you are musically gifted from birth use the technology but keep practicing tuning by ear. It is a good skill to have. There are too many out of tune instruments in this world and not enough tuners.
Have fun strummin'
Chongolio

P.S. FREEBIRD!

-- I believe that our Heavenly Father invented the monkey because he was disappointed in man."
... Mark Twain

[ Edited by: Chongolio on 2003-04-16 10:06 ]

My first uke was a Mahalo (made in China!) soprano uke. It was only $40 and made for a fine starter. The frets were real sharp and chewed up my strummin' finger nail, so watch out for that when you're uke shopping.

-Iuka Grogg

Hey Chongolio! I am indeed in the UCoSC, are you going to tommorows meeting? maybe see you there. (I will be the one in the Fez) there is a pletora of Uke info on my website: http://www.tikiking.com
in, of course, the Uke section
Cheers!
Tiki King

http://www.tikiking.com Neat Tiki and Ukulele Stuff
http://www.mp3.com/tiki_king Hear the King sing!

[ Edited by: Tiki King on 2003-04-16 16:35 ]

Bong,
Got the electronic tuner, but found my Danelectro tuner (although looking extremely bitchin & retro like all things Danelctro) only works for electric instruments, so I went out and picked up a little cheapy tuner (Qwik Tune) that has a small built-in microphone that allows you to use it with acoustics.

Mahalo to all for your advice

Hey King Tiki, I am going to be there. I will keep my peeper open for you and say Aloha. I have checked out your site a few times. nice work on everything. Lots of good info.

Chongolio

On 2003-04-16 09:17, RevBambooBen wrote:
I just found out the Uke was born in Potugal. Is this true?

Hey all - Mrs. emspace got me a cheapie uke (and "Jumpin' Jim's Gone Hawaiian" instruction book, a great collection of 30 hHawaiian songs) for Xmas, as I'd been blithering about getting one for some time. Am optimistic I'll earn the right to a good Hawaiian koa instrument some day (er...make that pretty optimistic).

It's true Rev, the Portuguese immigrants brought the cavaquinho with them, an instrument that also made its way into Brazilian music and can be heard to this day in many very cool samba tunes.

aloha,
emsapce.

I was checking out my uke a little closer last night & I think it's strung wrong. The top string is lighter than the second string which creates an uneven tension on the neck. Could it be that the factory screwed up the string installation? Maybe it's one that was strung on a monday after a weekend tiki bar crawl. Whadaya think?

Nope, that is correct. The most common tuning is GCEA. The "top" string is the 4th, which is tuned to G. the next is the 3rd string, which is the thickest, and is tuned to C, and is the lowest tuned string. next is E, then A. When strumed from the top down you get the old "my dog has fleas" There is a chart here: http://www.tikiking.com/uke_lesson.html
As trader Pup mentioned above, you can hear how each string should sound here:
http://www.flea-mkt-music.com/e-tuner/default.asp

Hope this helps!
T.K.

http://www.tikiking.com Neat Tiki Stuff
http://www.mp3.com/tiki_king Hear the King sing!

[ Edited by: Tiki King on 2003-04-17 11:49 ]

The E-Tuner at Flea Market Music did the trick! My Ukulele is now in perfect tune and I'm ready to attack those long forgotten Ian Whitcomb songs like "Does Your Chewing Gum Lose It's Flavour On the Bedpost Overnight?"
and other gems.

Aloha Tiki King and Chongolio from another Santa Cruzian! I graduated from UCSC a few years ago and love the area too much to leave.

I recently inherited a uke from my grandmother and am looking for someone in the area to give it a little TLC and bring it back up to speed. Any advice on who does uke repair? I'm also looking for a uke instructor who is local.

Aloha!
One of the best local teachers is Michelle Kiba, and the best Uke Repairman is Ukulele Dick. Both will be at the Hayward Ukulele Festival next weekend. you can get more info on that here: http://www.pica-org.org/events.html#UkuleleFestival
I will be there, come by the Tiki King Hut and I can introduce you to both.
Cheers!
T.K.

http://www.tikiking.com Neat Tiki Stuff
http://www.mp3.com/tiki_king Hear the King sing!

[ Edited by: Tiki King on 2003-04-18 09:21 ]

Aloha Cruzintiki,
I am a newbie to the uke scene, but I do know that Tiki king is right on the money when he recommends, Michelle and Ukelele DIck a.k.a Rick Mckee. Rick has worked on my guitar and is a super friendly dude. E-mail me off list and I will give you his shop's phone # if you are interested. Michelle radiates aloha and is a superb player and teacher. I will probally take a few of here workshop once I have a uke in my hand and have the basic chords down. You should definately come down to one of the uke meetings. They are a lot of fun.
Tiki King, It was a pleasure to meet and hear you play last night. I am very stoked to have joined the uke club. Thanks again for all the info. Have fun in Hayward.

Chongolio

[ Edited by: Chongolio on 2003-04-18 11:15 ]

[ Edited by: Chongolio on 2003-04-18 11:17 ]

Thought I'd bump this thread, since my question is......does anyone have an opinion on which electronic tuner is best/easiest to use? Which ones to avoid?

Mahalo!!!!

Tacky

The Peterson Strobo Flip is VERY good..

[ Edited by: basilh 2009-03-09 20:58 ]

I'm also in the market soon for a ukulele tuner, and I've pretty much decided after a lot of deliberation to go with the Pono P-5 digital chromatic clip-on tuner...

:tiki:

Thanks for your input guys! Sorry I didn't respond sooner! Sounds like the Pono is the Intelli upgraded so it doesn't buzz if you leave it on while playing. Sounds like it's pretty popular, from the 'research' I did.

Mahalo!!!!

:drink:
Tacky

Korg GT tuners are worth the price. If you get one that does guitar and bass I'm sure it'll also tune a Ukulele.

Have you seen the Flying V style Ukulele's? Funny.
https://www.beckettsmusic.co.uk/shop/ProdImages/z7740.jpg
For when the tiki bands really need to rock out and shred a few licks.