Tuning a 6-string ukulele—or its close cousin, the guitalele—can feel like a puzzle if you are used to a standard 4-string instrument. Because of the extra strings, standard digital tuners or standard phone apps can sometimes leave you scratching your head wondering if you are adjusting a C-course or an A-course.
Whether you are using a browser-based online tuner, a microphone-enabled web app, or tuning by ear, understanding your instrument’s unique layout is the key to getting a rich, chorus-like chime instead of a discordant mess.
1. Know Your Instrument: 6-String Ukulele vs. Guitalele
Before hitting any notes, make sure you know which type of 6-string instrument you have, as they use completely different tunings:
- The 6-String Tenor Ukulele: This features standard ukulele intervals (G-C-E-A), but with some courses doubled. Typically, the C pair is tuned an octave apart, and the A pair is tuned in unison (resulting in G-Cc-E-Aa or variations depending on the specific setup). You play it using normal 4-string ukulele chord shapes.
- The Guitalele (Guitar-Ukulele): This is essentially a 1/4-size classical guitar tuned a fourth higher than a standard guitar (A-D-G-C-E-A). It requires guitar chord shapes, not ukulele shapes.
2. How to Use an Online Tuner for a 6-String Setup
If you are using an online microphone tuner in your browser, follow this step-by-step framework to keep from snapping strings or getting confused by octave markers.
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