High G vs. low G ukulele tuning
High G and low G ukulele tuning differ by one octave on the fourth string, the one nearest your face as you play. It’s G4 in high G and G3 in low G. The other three strings stay at C4, E4 and A4.
Hear the difference
High G G4
392.00 Hz · Above the open C string
Low G G3
196.00 Hz · Below the open C string
Tenor ukulele samples at A4 = 440 Hz. The low G is pitch-shifted. Pluck your open G string and listen for the closer match.
Open-string notes
| String | High G | Low G |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | G4 | G3 |
| 3 | C4 | C4 |
| 2 | E4 | E4 |
| 1 | A4 | A4 |
If your tuner only shows the letter G, first tune the open C and A strings. For high G, play the G string at the second fret and match the open A string. For low G, play the G string at the fifth fret and match the open C string.
Do I need a different G string?
To switch to low G, put on a low-G fourth string made for your ukulele size. A regular high-G string will usually feel too loose at G3. If you switch back, put on a high-G string before tuning to G4.
Your chord shapes stay the same. With low G, the open fourth string can supply a bass note below the C string. Check the tuning listed with your tab if you want the melody or picking pattern to sound like the recording.
Sources
Kala’s ukulele tuning guide · Aquila’s string guide · UkuTabs’ by-ear checks · UNSW’s note frequencies
Ukulele recording by Mateusz Dąbrowski for FreePats, CC0.