From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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
B E A D F♯ B
6 strings/6 courses
United States (Danelectro[citation needed ] )
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[citation needed ]
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
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