How to Tune a Mandolin

The mandolin resembles a guitar with steel strings and frets and is tuned similarly to a violin or guitar. Like the violin, the mandolin's strings are tuned G, D, A and E from low to high. Tuning a mandolin is not difficult, but it's really a snap if you have experience tuning a violin or guitar.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pick
• Reference point (piano, guitar, tuning fork or electric tuner)

1. Use a piano, guitar or electric turner as a reference point for tuning. The electric tuner is generally the easiest for beginners.

2. Strike a G note on a piano or guitar or set your electric tuner to G. Then, strike the top string or low G on your mandolin. Twist the corresponding tuning button until the mandolin's tone matches your reference point's tone.

3. Tune the second low G string using the first tuned G string as a reference. Strike each one in slow progression, while twisting the second corresponding tuning button, until the tones of both strings match.

4. Continue by tuning the D stings, which are the next set down. Tune the first D string against your reference point and then using the first D string as your new reference point, tune the second D string until both strings match.

5. Finish with the last two sets of strings, which are the A and E strings, in the same manner as you tuned the G and D strings.

6. Check if your mandolin sounds in tune. Fret your G string on the seventh fret of the mandolin and then strum the G and D strings to determine if they match. If they do not, adjust the tuning buttons of the D strings until they do.

7. Proceed to check the remaining strings in the same manner, by pressing on the seventh fret of the string above the string you are tuning. Then strum down from the string you are fretting to the string you are tuning. The tones should match. Make adjustments as necessary.

Tips & Warnings

• When tuning a mandolin it is best to use a pick, because the strings are close together and difficult to strike accurately using your thumb or nail.
• Frets are the flat spaces between the bars located on the neck of the mandolin. Fretting involves pressing down on the string between the bars of the fret you are targeting. The seventh fret is located seven frets down from the head of the mandolin.
• The buttons used for tuning are the knobs at the head of the mandolin. Twisting these buttons tunes the mandolin.
• Avoid stretching the strings too tightly during tuning. This can cause the strings to snap.

Resources

• Find exercises to build your tuning skills at Mandolincafe.