Stringed instrument tunings

This is a list of tunings for stringed musical instruments . Strings or courses are listed from low to high pitch, reading from left to right facing the front of the instrument standing vertically. (The are a few exceptions to this, for instance the mountain dulcimer which is strung in the reverse direction, with the highest sounding courses on the left and the lowest to the right.) Octaves, where shown, are given in scientific pitch notation, where the A above middle C is "A4."

Single-string courses are simply separated by spaces; multiple-string courses (i.e., paired or tripled strings) are shown with the courses separated by bullet characters (•).

File:Octave Designations 4.svg

Octave Designation Diagram for Scientific Pitch Notation (used by The Acoustical Society of America) and Helmholtz

A

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Andylin	F F • C C • G G • C C	8 strings/4 courses		Andy Irvine	Pitched between mandolin and mandola
Archlute	F F • G G • A A • B B • C C • D D • E F G C F A D G	20 strings/14 courses

B

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Baglama (Greek)	D5 D5 • A4 A4 • D5 D5	6 strings/3 courses		Greece	Modal D standard tuning
Bajo quinto	A A • D D • G G • C C • F F	10 strings/5 courses		Mexico	Standard tuning.
Bajo Sexto	E E • A A • D D • G G • C C • F F	12 strings/6 courses		Mexico	Standard tuning
Balalaika	E E A	3 strings/3 courses		Russia	Standard alto tuning
Balalaika	E A D	3 strings/3 courses		Russia	Standard bass tuning
Balalaika	E A D	3 strings/3 courses		Russia	Standard contrabass tuning
Balalaika	E E A	3 strings/3 courses		Russia	Standard piccolo tuning
Balalaika	E E A	3 strings/3 courses		Russia	Standard prima tuning
Bandola	F♯3 F♯3 • B3 B3 • E4 E4 E4 • A4 A4 A4 • D5 D5 D5 • G5 G5 G5	16 strings/4 courses		Colombia	Standard tuning
Bandola Llanera	A3  D4  F♯4  B3	4 strings/4 courses		Venezuela	Standard tuning.
Bandola Oriental	G3 G3 • D4 D4 • A4 A4 • E5 E5	4 strings/4 courses		Venezuela	Standard tuning.
Bandurria	G♯ G♯ • C♯ C♯ • F♯ F♯ • B B • E E • A A	12 strings/6 courses		Spain	Spanish tuning. One octave higher than the laud.
Banjo (tenor)	C G D A	4 strings/4 courses		USA via Africa	Standard tenor jazz tuning
Banjo (tenor)	G D A E	4 strings/4 courses		USA via Africa	Irish tenor tuning
Banjo (5-string)	G D G B D	5 strings/5 courses		USA via Africa	Open G tuning
Banjo (5-string)	G C G B D	5 strings/5 courses			C tuning
Banjo (plectrum)	C G B D	4 strings/4 courses		USA via Africa	Standard plectrum tuning
Baritone guitar	B1 E2 A2 D3 F♯3 B3	6 strings/6 courses		United States (Danelectro)	Standard 4th lower tuning
Baritone guitar	A1 D2 G2 C3 E3 A3	6 strings/6 courses		United States (Danelectro)	Standard 5th lower tuning
Baritone guitar	E A D G B E	6 strings/6 courses		United States (Danelectro)	Octave lower tuning
Bass guitar	E1 A1 D2 G2	4 strings/4 courses	Bass, electric bass	United States	Standard 4-string tuning
Bass guitar (5-string)	B0 E1 A1 D2 G2	5 strings/5 courses	Bass, electric bass	Argentina	E1 A1 D2 G2 C3 is also used
Bass guitar (6-string)	B0 E1 A1 D2 G2 C3	6 strings/6 courses	Bass, electric bass
Bordonua	A2 A3 • D4 D3 • F♯3 F♯4 • B3 B3 • E4 E4	10 strings/5 courses		Puerto Rico

C

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Cavaquinho	D G B D	4 strings/4 courses	Cavaco	Brazil	Standard tuning
Cavaquinho	D G B E	4 strings/4 courses	Cavaco	Brazil	'Guitar' tuning
Cavaquinho	G G B D	4 strings/4 courses	Cavaco	Brazil	Alternative tuning
Cavaquinho	A A C♯ E	4 strings/4 courses	Cavaco	Brazil	Alternative tuning
Cello	C2 G2 D3 A3	4 strings/4 courses	Violoncello		Standard tuning
Charango	G4 G4 • C4 C4 • E5 E4 • A4 A4 • E5 E5	10 strings/5 courses	Quirquincho, Mulita, Tatu, Kirki	Bolivia, Peru, Argentina Chile, Ecuador	Standard C6 tuning. 3rd course is an octave pair.
Charangon	C4 C4 • F4 F4 • A5 A4 • D5 D5 • A5 A5	10 strings/5 courses	Baritone Charango	Andean Region	F6 tuning
Charangon	D4 D4 • G4 G4 • B5 B4 • E5 E5 • B5 B5	10 strings/5 courses	Baritone Charango	Andean Region	G6 tuning
Cittern	CC • GG • DD • AA • DD	10 strings/5 courses	Celtic or Flatback Cittern	Europe	Mandocello tuning
Cittern	CC • GG • DD • AA • EE	10 strings/5 courses	Celtic or Flatback Cittern	Europe	Mandolin Low 'C' tuning
Cittern	DD • GG • DD • AA • DD	10 strings/5 courses	Celtic or Flatback Cittern	Europe	Irish tuning
Cittern	DD • GG • DD • GG • DD	10 strings/5 courses	Celtic or Flatback Cittern	Europe	Modal G tuning
Cittern	DD • AA • DD • AA • DD	10 strings/5 courses	Celtic or Flatback Cittern	Europe	Modal D tuning
Cittern	EE • AA • EE • AA • EE	10 strings/5 courses	Celtic or Flatback Cittern	Europe	Modal A tuning
Cittern	GG • DD • AA • EE • BB	10 strings/5 courses	Celtic or Flatback Cittern	Europe	Mandolin High 'B' tuning
Cittern	AA • DD • AA • DD • AA	10 strings/5 courses	Celtic or Flatback Cittern	Europe	Modal D tuning
Cuatro	B3 B2 • E4 E3 • A3 A3 • D4 D4 • G4 G4	10 strings/5 courses		Puerto Rico	Standard tuning
Cuatro	A3 D4 F♯4 B3	4 strings/4 courses		Venezuela	Standard D6 tuning
Cümbüş	A A • B B • E E • A A • D D • G G	12 strings/6 courses		Turkey	Standard tuning
Cümbüş	D D • E E • A A • D D • G G • C C	12 strings/6 courses		Turkey	Alternative standard tuning
Cümbüş	D D • G G • A A • D D • G G • C C	12 strings/6 courses		Turkey	Egyptian/Arab tuning
Cümbüş	E E • A A • B B • E E • A A • D D	12 strings/6 courses		Turkey	Turkish/Armenian tuning
Cümbüş	C♯ C♯ • F♯ F♯ • B B • E E • A A • D D	12 strings/6 courses		Turkey	Turkish Armenian alternative tuning
Cümbüş	F♯ F♯ • B B • E E • A A • D D • G G	12 strings/6 courses		Turkey	New Turkish classical tuning
Cümbüş	A A • D D • E E • A A • D D • G G	12 strings/6 courses		Turkey	Old Turkish classical tuning
Cura cümbüş	G G • D D • A A • E E	8 strings/4 courses		Turkey	Standard mandolin-style tuning
Tambor cümbüş	D D • A A • D D	6 strings/3 courses		Turkey	Standard tambor cümbüş tuning

D

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Domra	E A D	3 strings/3 courses		Russia	Standard tuning
Domra	G D A E	4 strings/4 courses		Russia	Standard 'mandolin' 5ths tuning
Double bass	E1 A1 D2 G2	4 strings/4 courses	Bass, bass fiddle, contrabass, string bass, standup bass, doghouse bass		Orchestral tuning
Double bass	F♯1 B1 E2 A2	4 strings/4 courses	Bass (as above)		Solo tuning
Dulcimer	D3 A3 (D4 D4)	Generally 4 strings/3 courses	Mountain, Appalachian or lap dulcimer	United States	Standard Mixolydian tuning. The dulcimer is generally diatonic. The melody strings are generally paired and sit nearest to the player's body.

F

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Fiddle	G3 D4 A4 E5	4 strings/4 courses	Violin		Standard tuning
Fiddle	F3 C4 G4 F5	4 strings/4 courses			Cajun tuning
Fiddle	G3 D4 G4 B4	4 strings/4 courses			Open G tuning
Fiddle	G3 D4 G4 D5	4 strings/4 courses			Sawmill tuning
Fiddle	G3 D4 A4 D5	4 strings/4 courses			"Gee-dad"
Fiddle	D3 D4 A4 D5	4 strings/4 courses			Open D tuning
Fiddle	A3 D4 A4 E5	4 strings/4 courses			Old-timey D tuning
Fiddle	A3 E4 A4 E5	4 strings/4 courses			High bass, high counter
Fiddle	A3 E4 A4 C♯5	4 strings/4 courses			Black Mountain Rag tuning

G

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Gadulka	A3 E3 A4	3 strings/3 courses		The Balkans	3 playing strings, with up to 10 sympathetic strings.
Greek Bouzouki	C C • F F • A A • D D	8 strings/4 courses	Tetrachordo bouzouki	Greece	Standard F6 tuning
Greek Bouzouki	D D • A A • D D	6 strings/3 courses	Trichordo bouzouki	Greece	Standard F6 tuning
Guitar	E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4	6 strings/6 courses	Axe (colloquial)		Standard tuning
Guitar	D2 A2 D3 G3 A3 D4	6 strings/6 courses	"		DADGAD Dsus4 tuning
Guitar	D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 D4	6 strings/6 courses	"		Double drop D tuning
Guitar	D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4	6 strings/6 courses	"		Drop D tuning
Guitar	E2 A2 E3 A3 C♯3 E4	6 strings/6 courses	"		Open A major tuning
Guitar	C2 G2 C3 G3 C3 E4	6 strings/6 courses	"		Open C major tuning
Guitar	D2 A2 D3 F♯3 A3 D4	6 strings/6 courses	"		Open D major tuning
Guitar	E2 B2 E3 G♯3 B3 E4	6 strings/6 courses	"		Open E major tuning
Guitar	E2 B2 E3 G3 B3 E4	6 strings/6 courses	"		Open E minor tuning
Guitar	D2 G2 D3 G3 B3 D4	6 strings/6 courses	"		Open G major tuning
Guitar	D2 G2 D3 G3 B♭3 D4	6 strings/6 courses	"		Open G minor tuning
Guitar Banjo	E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4	6 strings/6 courses			Standard guitar tuning

H

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Hualaycho					See Walaycho
Huapanguera	G2 • D3 D4 • G3 G3 • B3 B3 • E3	8 strings/5 courses		Mexico

I

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Irish bouzouki	G3 G2 • D4 D3 • A3 A3 • D4 D4	8 strings/4 courses	zouk	Ireland	Irish tuning (octaves)
Irish bouzouki	G2 G2 • D3 D3 • A3 A3 • D4 D4	8 strings/4 courses	"	"	Irish tuning (unison pairs)
Irish bouzouki	G3 G2 • D4 D3 • A3 A3 • E4 E4	8 strings/4 courses	"	"	"Mandolin" tuning (octaves)
Irish bouzouki	G2 G2 • D3 D3 • A3 A3 • E4 E4	8 strings/4 courses	"	"	"Mandolin" tuning (unison pairs)
Irish bouzouki	A3 A2 • D4 D3 • A3 A3 • D4 D4	8 strings/4 courses	"	"	Modal D tuning (octaves)
Irish bouzouki	A2 A2 • D3 D3 • A3 A3 • D4 D4	8 strings/4 courses	"	"	Modal D tuning (unison pairs)

J

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Jouhikko	D A E	3 strings/3 courses	Jouhikannel	Finland	Standard tuning

K

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes

L

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Laud	G♯ C♯ F♯ B E A	12 strings/6 courses	Spanish laud	Spain	Standard tuning

M

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Mandobass	E1 A1 D2 G2	4 strings/4 courses			Standard tuning
Mandola	C3 C3 • G3 G3 • D4 D4 • A4 A4	8 strings/4 courses	Tenor mandola		Standard tuning. Pitched a 5th below mandolin tuning. Known in Europe as the tenor mandola.
Mandocello	C2 C2 • G2 G2 • D3 D3 • A3 A3	8 strings/4 courses	mandolincello or mandoloncello		Standard tuning. Pitched an octave below the mandola.
Mandolin	G3 G3 • D4 D4 • A4 A4 • E5 E5	8 strings/4 courses	Mando (colloquial)		Standard tuning
Mandolin (Octave)	G2 G2 • D3 D3 • A3 A3 • E4 E4	8 strings/4 courses	Octave mandola		Standard tuning. Known in Europe as the octave mandola. Pitched an octave below the mandolin.
Maulincho					See Walaycho
Mejorana	D4 A4 A3 B3 E4	5 strings/5 courses		Panama	Standard tuning
Mejorana	D4 G4 G3 B3 E3	5 strings/5 courses		Panama	Alternative tuning
Moodswinger	E2 A2 D2 G2 C2 F2 C2 A♯2 D♯2 G♯2 C♯2 F♯2 B2	12 strings		Holland	Standard tuning (forming a circle of fourths)

N

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes

O

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Octave Guitar	E3 A4 D4 G4 B4 E5	6 strings/6 courses	Soprano guitar		see Soprano guitar

P-Q

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Quirquincho			Kirkinchu or Kirki		see Charango

R

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Requinto	A2 D3 G3 C4 E4 A4	6 strings/6 courses		Latin America	Standard tuning
Ronroco	G3 G3 • C3 C3 • E4 E3 • A3 A3 • E4 E4	10 strings/5 courses	Ronrroco	Andean Region	Standard C6 tuning (tuned an octave below the charango).
Russian guitar	D G B D G B D	7 strings/7 courses	semistrunnaya gitara, semistrunka	Russia	Standard tuning

S

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Soprano guitar	E3 A4 D4 G4 B4 E5	6 strings/6 courses	Octave guitar		Standard tuning
Socavon	E D A B	4 strings/4 courses	Bocona	Panama	Standard tuning

T

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Taro Patch	G3 G4 • C3 C4 • E4 E4 • A4 A4	8 strings/4 courses	Taropatch	Hawaii	Standard C6 tuning. All 4 courses are double-strung. The taro patch is a double course uke.
Tiple	D4 D3 D4 • G4 G3 G4 • B3 B3 B3 • E4 E4 E4	12 strings/4 courses		Colombia	Standard Colombian G6 tuning. All 4 courses are triple-strung.
Tiple	A D F♯ B	10 strings/4 courses		USA	Standard Martin D6 tuning. The D and F♯ are triple-strung; the other strings are paired.
Tres	G4 G3 • C4 C4 • E4 E3	6 strings/3 courses	Tres Cubano, Cuban Tres	Cuba	Standard C major tuning
Tres	A4 A3 • D4 D4 • F♯4 F♯3	6 strings/3 courses	Tres Cubano, Cuban Tres	Cuba	New D major tuning
Tsouras	D D • A A • D D	6 strings/3 courses	Tzouras	Greece	Standard tuning
Twelve string guitar	E2 E3 • A2 A3 • D3 D4 • G3 G4 • B3 B3 • E4 E4	12 strings/6 courses			Standard tuning

U-V

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Ukulele	G4 C4 E4 A4	4 strings/4 courses	Uke (colloquial)	Hawaii	Standard C6 tuning for soprano, concert and tenor.
Ukulele	A4 D4 F♯4 B4	4 strings/4 courses	Uke (colloquial)	Hawaii	D6 tuning for soprano, concert and tenor.
Ukulele	D4 G3 B4 E4 (Baritone)	4 strings/4 courses	Baritone uke (colloquial)	Hawaii	Standard baritone uke G6 tuning
Viol	D G C E A D (bass viol)	6 strings/6 courses			Bass viol tuning
Viol	A D G C E A D (bass viol)	7 strings/7 courses			7-string bass viol tuning
Viol	G C F A D G (tenor viol)	6 strings/6 courses			Tenor viol tuning
Viola	C3 G3 D4 A4	4 strings/4 courses			Standard tuning. Pitched a 5th below the violin.
Violin	G3 D4 A4 E5	4 Strings/4 courses	Fiddle (colloquial)	Lombardy	Standard tuning
Violin	F3 C4 G4 D5	4 Strings/4 courses	Fiddle (colloquial)		Cajun tuning to accompany accordion

W-X

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes
Walaycho	C4 C4 • F4 F4 • A5 A4 • D5 D5 • A5 A5	10 strings/5 courses	Waylacho, hualaycho, maulincho	Andean region	F6 tuning
Walaycho	D4 D4 • G4 G4 • B5 B4 • E5 E5 • B5 B5	10 strings/5 courses	Waylacho, hualaycho, maulincho	Andean region	G6 tuning
Waldzither	C G C E G	9 strings/5 courses	Forest zither	Germany	Open C major standard tuning
Waldzither	G D G B D	9 strings/5 courses	Forest zither	Germany	Open G major tuning
Waldzither	G D G B D	9 strings/5 courses	Forest zither	Germany	Open G major standard tuning. Mandolin-sized waldzither.

Y-Z

Instrument	Tuning	Strings & Courses	Alternative Names	Origin	Notes

See also

• Guitar tuning
• Scale (string instruments) or "Scale length"