Introduction: How to Tune a Ukulele With a Tuner

Intro

You've just gotten your new ukulele in the mail and you go to strum it when it makes an odd noise. You come to realize that your ukulele isn't in tune. This guide will show you how to tune your ukulele properly using a Hua Wind clip-on tuner.

Supplies

  • Ukulele
  • Hua Wind HWTU001 Clip-On Tuner

Step 1: Ukulele Parts and Functions

In order to properly tune your ukulele, it's important to know the parts of a ukulele.

  • Bridge - The bridge is on top of the body and is where the strings are tied around
  • Soundhole - A circular opening in the middle of the ukulele which allows vibrations to be created
  • Body - The body is the main structure of the ukulele (top, bottom, and sides)
  • Neck - The long piece of wood connected to the body and headstock of the ukulele
  • Frets - The small horizontal metal bars located all along the neck of the ukulele
  • Nuts - In between the neck and the headstock, it keeps the strings in the correct positions
  • Headstock - The top part of the ukulele, the tuning pegs are attached to the headstock
  • Tuning Pegs - Attached to the headstock and are used to tune the ukulele by twisting them.

The tuning pegs are what we will be focusing on since they are what allow you to tune the ukulele

Step 2: Hua Wind Clip on Tuner Parts and Functions

  1. LCD Screen: Displays operations
  2. Power Button/Function Button: Turns on the tuner and cycles through options on the tuner
  3. Axis: Allows the tuner to be adjusted
  4. Clip: Used to attach the tuner to the instrument
  5. Battery: Where the battery is stored

Step 3: Turning the Tuner on

The video above shows how to turn on the clip-on tuner

Instructions:

  1. Locate the power button on the tuner which is located below the LED Screen
  2. Press and hold the button for 2 seconds
  3. Once the screen lights up the tuner is on

Step 4: Setting the Tuner

The video above shows how to set the tuner to the ukulele setting

The Hua Wind tuner has different tuning options for different instruments, in this case, we must set it to the ukulele tuning. That is done by following these steps:

  1. Once the screen is on you will see highlighted letters at the bottom of the screen, which indicate the tuning options
  2. In order to cycle through these options, press on the power button, do this until you see the letters Uc are highlighted at the bottom of the screen
  3. You are now ready to tune your ukulele

Step 5: Tuning the G String

The G String is the fourth string on the ukulele and the string (See diagram above). We will start off with tuning the G String by following these steps:

  1. Take your tuner and clip it on the headstock of the ukulele
  2. Pluck the G string and look at your tuner
  3. The tuner will display the note name (G in this case) and its accuracy
    1. If the indicator points left the note is flat
      • Using the bottom left peg turn it counter-clockwise to tune it up
    2. If the indicator points right the note is sharp
      • Using the bottom left peg turn it clockwise to tune it down

  4. Continue tuning until the indicator lights up green, this means the string is in tune

The first video above shows how to tune a flat G string by turning the tuning peg counterclockwise

The second video above shows how to tune a sharp G string by turning the tuning peg clockwise

Step 6: Tuning the C String

The C String is the third string on the ukulele (See diagram above). We will tune the C String by following these steps:

  1. Take your tuner and clip it on the headstock of the ukulele
  2. Pluck the C string and look at your tuner
  3. The tuner will display the note name (C in this case) and its accuracy
    1. If the indicator points left the note is flat
      • Using the top left peg turn it counter-clockwise to tune it up
    2. If the indicator points right the note is sharp
      • Using the top left peg turn it clockwise to tune it down

  4. Continue tuning until the indicator lights up green, this means the string is in tune

The first video above shows how to tune a flat C string by turning the tuning peg counterclockwise

The second video above shows how to tune a sharp C string by turning the tuning peg clockwise

Step 7: Tuning the E String

The E String is the second string on the ukulele (See diagram above). We will tune the E String by following these steps:

  1. Take your tuner and clip it on the headstock of the ukulele
  2. Pluck the E string and look at your tuner
  3. The tuner will display the note name (E in this case) and its accuracy
    1. If the indicator points left the note is flat
      • Using the top right peg turn it counter-clockwise to tune it up
    2. If the indicator points right the note is sharp
      • Using the top right peg turn it clockwise to tune it down
  4. Continue tuning until the indicator lights up green, this means the string is in tune

The first video above shows how to tune a flat E string by turning the tuning peg counterclockwise

The second video above shows how to tune a sharp E string by turning the tuning peg clockwise

Step 8: Tuning the a String

The A string is the first string on the ukulele (See diagram above). We will tune the A String by following these steps:

  1. Take your tuner and clip it on the headstock of the ukulele
  2. Pluck the A string and look at your tuner
  3. The tuner will display the note name (A in this case) and its accuracy
    1. If the indicator points left the note is flat
      • Using the bottom right peg turn it counter-clockwise to tune it up
    2. If the indicator points right the note is sharp
      • Using the bottom right peg turn it clockwise to tune it down
  4. Continue tuning until the indicator lights up green, this means the string is in tune

The first video above shows how to tune a flat A string by turning the tuning peg counterclockwise

The second video above shows how to tune a sharp A string by turning the tuning peg clockwise