Uke #5 - Tuning your ukulele

You have gotten your new ukulele. It should come setup properly but how do you ensure that the tuning is right. Moreover, the tuning tends to go off during the first few rounds of playing especially when the strings are new. Hence, the next thing you should know is tuning. There are different tunings but you only need to remember the GCEA tuning for now.

Most ukuleles(sopranos, concerts) use the standard, GCEA tuning. Pick up your ukulele, sound hole should face away from you towards the front. Assuming you are right handed, the uke body should be on your right and the neck on your left. Hold the neck with your left hand and hang your right hand over the body with your right hand just over the strings slightly at the front portion of the sound hole. I am assuming you are sitting down and your uke body is resting on your right lap. Otherwise you have to use your right arm to hold the top of the uke body close to your body while your right hand play the strings. Whatever you do, adjust to find a comfortable position.

In this position, look at your fretboard. The string on the top is 4th string(G). Moving down, the 3rd string(C), 2nd string(E) and finally the first string(A). The first string should sound the highest pitch. If you hold the neck with the frets facing you, the first string(A) is on your right.

Illustration taken from public domain and credits go to the owner of the illustration.

Now, assuming you have your tuner ready, play the respective string by plucking it with your right index finger. You do not have to press down on any frets. This is called the open string. Play the open string and try to match the pitch by adjusting the corresponding tuning peg.