This post is about Ukulele string names and how to remember them.
The ukulele string names depend on what kind of ukulele you have because they can be different. We assume that if you are searching for Ukulele string names, you most likely have a Standard or Soprano ukulele. Otherwise, the “names” for the strings of the different ukuleles are listed here from top to bottom. By string name, we mean which key the string is in when it is tuned and in motion. (G, C or something else.)
The Ukulele Strings
If you have a:
- Sopranissimo or sopranino (piccolo or pocket): D5 G4 B4 E5 or C5 F4 A4 D5
- Standard or soprano Ukulele: the most popular: G4 C4 E4 A4.
- Standard or soprano Ukulele can also have: A4 D4 F#4 B4.
- Concert or Super Soprano Ukulele: A4 D4 F#4 B4 or G4 C4 E4 A4 that is most common
- Tenor Ukuleles: A4 D4 F#4 B4, G4 C4 E4 A4 (most common) or G3 C4 E4 A4
- Baritone Ukulele: D3 G3 B3 E4
- Bass Ukulele: E2 A2 D3 G3
- Contrabass Ukulele: E1 A1 D2 G2
Remember that the Ukulele strings order are from the top and down, 1 2 3 and 4th. So, the string on the top, closest to your eye, is number 1.
About the numbers for tuning. G4-C4-E4-A4: The numbers indicate in which scale you find the note on the keyboard of a piano. Normally we just say GCEA.
How to remember the Ukulele string names
When tuning the Ukulele, you need to know which string is which. A tip is to put the Ukulele string names at the bottom of the Ukulele under the strings. If not, remember the names.
For a help to remember the strings, you can give them names.
For instance:
- G4 C4 E4 A4 can be Gouts Can Eat All sorts of food, or Great Cats Eats Always.
- A4 D4 F#4 B4 can be All Dolls Fall Back or All Day Face Book
- D3 G3 B3 E4 can be Dogs Go Back for Eating, or Darkness Gonna Be Early
- E2-A2-D3-G3 can be Eagles Attacks Dogs and Gouts
- C5 F4 A4 D5 can be Can Fire All Dummies, or Cats Feed All Day
If you have a better sentence than this, use it. It is probably easier to remember your own.
However, you should also remember, or have an image of in your head, the numbers or #. Normally this is not so important. It is most important to remember the name.
The first time you tune the Ukulele, you must in some cases check that it is correct (number or #), and it will often be correct automatically. It depends on how you tune the instrument. The next time the ukulele is out of tune, it’s usually not that far off, so you don’t have to remember if it’s a G3 or G4.
If you use a good app, built-in tuner or clip-on tuner, you don’t have to think about it. It won’t be a problem.
High and low G – the difference
And tips about what kind of stings you can use:
Tuning and playing the Ukulele
For tuning the Ukulele go to How to tune a Ukulele or Baritone Ukulele Tuning
When the Ukulele is tuned you can start at Easy Ukulele Songs.
You can watch how to put on new strings in the video of the article Left-handed Ukulele, Cheap Ukulele, or this one:
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Finnaly, Basic Ukulele was established in 2015 with the attention to making it easier for those interested to learn to play, or to get information about this wonderful instrument.