How to Tune a Baritone Ukulele

The baritone ukulele's scale of 19 inches (as opposed to the soprano uke's 13) gives it a deeper, richer tone than standard size ukuleles. For that reason, you tune the baritone ukulele to a deeper pitch, just like the four top strings of a guitar, D-G-B-E.

Things You'll Need

• Key of G nylon strings made specifically for the baritone uke

Instructions

1. Tune in the order D-E-G-B because as you tune a stringed instrument, you put pressure on the neck. Tuning in this order helps keep the pressure even, so tuning one string doesn't cause another to go out of tune.

2. Use an accurate pitch source like a pitch pipe or keyboard to find the D note.

3. Adjust the D string (the thickest string and the one at the top of the instrument when you're holding it) until its tone matches the D tone of your pitch source.

4. Place a finger on the fifth fret on the D string and pick it and the open G string. Tune the G string until these strings sound the same.

5. Press your finger on the fourth fret on the G string and pick it and the open B string. Tune the B string until it sounds like the fretted G.

6. Put your finger on the fifth fret of the B string and pick it and the E string. Tune the E string down until it sounds like the fretted B string.

7. Play some chords to make sure your baritone ukulele is in tune. If not, keep adjusting the strings until they sound right.

Tips & Warnings

• Freshly changed strings take several days to hold their tune, so don't worry if you need to re-tune many times until the strings settle.

• The screw on the end of the tuning button can loosen from temperature changes or use, so keep a small screwdriver in your ukulele case to tighten it if necessary.

• Do not tune your baritone ukulele to G-C-E-A like you would a soprano uke unless you have special key of C strings, because it can tighten the strings too much and damage the instrument.

Resources

• Find useful ukulele information at UkeTalk.