Standard tuning G D A E · four pairs of strings
Mandolin tuner
Pluck one string at a time and see which note it is, and how many cents sharp or flat. Tap a string to hear its note and tune by ear. Standard tuning, G D A E, the same notes as a violin, with each note on a pair of strings.
How to use it
- Tap Listen and allow the microphone. Pluck one string of a pair and let it ring: the tuner names the note and shows how far off it is.
- Turn that string's tuning key until the needle sits in the middle and it says In tune, then tune its partner the same way. Tap a string to hear its note, if you'd rather tune by ear.
Standard mandolin tuning
A mandolin has eight strings in four pairs, called courses, both strings of a pair tuned to the same note. From the lowest: G, D, A and E, a fifth apart, at the same pitches as a violin.
| Pair | Note | Hz at A440 |
|---|---|---|
| G (lowest) | G3 | 196.00 |
| D | D4 | 293.66 |
| A | A4 | 440.00 |
| E (highest) | E5 | 659.26 |
Tuning the pairs
Tune one string of each pair to the tuner, then its partner to it by ear: pluck both together and turn until the wobble between them stops. A pair even slightly apart sounds sour, more than either string alone. Rest a finger lightly on one string while you tune the other, so the tuner hears one at a time.
Tuning a mandolin by ear
Each pair at the 7th fret gives the next open pair: G at the 7th fret is D, D is A, and A is E. Tune the A pair to a reference first, then work out from it.
If notes up the neck sound off though the open strings are in tune, check the bridge: on most mandolins it isn't glued, and the strings alone hold it in place.
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Questions
What are the notes of a mandolin's strings?
G, D, A and E, from the lowest pair: G3, D4, A4 and E5, each note on a pair of strings.
Is a mandolin tuned like a violin?
Yes: G D A E, a fifth apart, at the same pitches. A violinist already knows where the notes are.
How do I tune a mandolin without a tuner?
Tune the A pair to a reference, then use the 7th fret: the G pair at the 7th fret gives the open D, the D pair the open A, and the A pair the open E.
Why does my mandolin sound out of tune when each string reads right?
Usually the two strings of a pair are a few cents apart. Pluck each pair together and listen for a wobble, then tune the second string to the first by ear.
Is my playing recorded?
No. The microphone opens only when you tap Listen, your mandolin's pitch is worked out on this device, and nothing is recorded, kept or sent.
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