Stringed instrument tunings

This is a chart of stringed instrument tunings. Instruments are listed alphabetically by their most commonly known name.Marcuse, Sibyl; Musical Instruments: A Comprehensive Dictionary; W. W. Norton & Company (1975).

Terminology

A course may consist of one or more strings.Randel, Don Michael, Ed.; The New Harvard Dictionary of Music; Cambridge, Massachusetts: The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press (1986). p. 211.

Courses are listed reading from left to right facing the front of the instrument, with the instrument standing vertically. On a majority of instruments, this places the notes from low to high pitch. Exceptions exist: Instruments using reentrant tuning (e.g., the charango) may have a high string before a low string. Instruments strung in the reverse direction (e.g., mountain dulcimer) are noted with the highest sounding courses on the left and the lowest to the right. A few instruments exist in "right-hand" and "left-hand" versions; left-handed instruments are not included here as separate entries, as their tuning is identical to the right-hand version, but with the strings in reverse order (e.g., a left-handed guitar).

Strings within a course are also given from left to right, facing the front of the instrument, with it standing vertically. Single-string courses are separated by spaces; multiple-string courses (i.e. paired or tripled strings) are shown with courses separated by bullet characters (•).

Pitch: Unless otherwise noted, contemporary western standard pitch (A4 = 440 Hz) and 12-tone equal temperament are assumed.Backus, John; The Acoustical Foundations of Music; New York: W. W. Norton & Company (1975).

Octaves are given in scientific pitch notation, with Middle C written as "C4". (The 'A' above Middle C would then be written as "A4"; the next higher octave begins on "C5"; the next lower octave on "C3"; etc.)Ibid. p. 60-61.

Because stringed instruments are easily re-tuned, the concept of a "standard tuning" is somewhat flexible. Some instruments: have a designated standard tuning (e.g., violin; guitar) have more than one tuning considered "standard" (e.g., mejorana, ukulele) do not have a standard tuning but rather a "common" tuning that is used more frequently than others (e.g., banjo; lap steel guitar) are typically re-tuned to suit the music being played or the voice being accompanied and have no set "standard" at all (e.g., đàn nguyệt; Appalachian dulcimer)

Where more than one common tuning exists, the most common is given first and labeled "Standard" or "Standard/common". Other tunings will then be given under the heading "Alternates".

A InstrumentStrings & CoursesTuning(s)Alternative NamesOriginNotesPicture Ahenk 12 strings 6 coursesStandard/common: A3 A3•B3 B3•E4 E4•A4 A4•D5 D5•G5 G5

Alternates: May also use various oud tunings Turkey Ajayu12 strings 5 coursesStandard/common: A A•E E•A A•C C C•F F F

Alternate: C C•G G•C C•E E E•A A AChileA very recent instrument, invented in 2007 Akkordolia 4 strings 4 coursesF2 A2 C3 F3 Taishogoto, Bulbul tarang, Benju Germany & Austria / Japan / India / PakistanThere are also a number of drone strings, the number and tuning of which vary widely.Akonting3 courses 3 stringsCommon: Casamance: D3 G3 F4

Gambian: C3 F3 E4Ekonting, Bunchundo, Econtin, KontingSenegalOften strung with fishing line. A rare 4-string version also exists.Amzad1 string 1 courseNo standard tuning; tuned to any convenient note.ImzadNiger, Mali, AlgeriaHorse hair string. Archlute 27 strings 14 coursesF1 F2•G1 G2•A1 A2•B1 B2•C2 C3• D2 D3•E2 E3•F2 F3•G2 G2•C2 C2• F3 F3•A3 A3•D4 D4•G4 Arciliuto, Erzlaute EuropeNumber of courses could vary from 11–14, and the number of strings from 21–27.12-course, 23-string archlute:Armonico7 strings 6 coursesE3•A3•D4•G4 G4•B3•E4CubaArpeggione6 strings 6 coursesE2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4Vienna, AustriaRare. Tuning is same as guitar. Autoharp 36 strings 36 coursesF2 G2 C3 D3 E3 F3 F3 G3 A3 A3 B3 C4 C4 D4 D4 E4 F4 F4 G4 G4 A4 A4 B4 C5 C5 D5 D5 E5 F5 F5 G5 G5 A5 A5 B5 C6 Chord zither USAInstruments with additional strings exist (from 37 – 48 total strings), but are very rare.

B InstrumentStrings & CoursesTuning(s)Alternative NamesOriginNotesPicture Baglama 7 strings 3 courses top to bottom: G2 G3•D3 D3•A2 A3 A3 Bağlama, Saz, Tanbura, Çöğür Turkey See Bağlama Baglamas 6 strings 3 courses D4 D5•A4 A4•D5 D5 Baglama, Baglama Saz, Baglamadaki Greece Standard aka "Modal D" Bajo quinto 10 strings 5 courses A2 A1•D3 D2•G2 G2•C3 C3•F3 F3 MexicoTrue 10-string bajo quintos are made, but many so-called "bajo quintos" are really bajo sextos with the lowest course removed. Bajo sexto 12 strings 6 coursesStandard/common (all fourths): E2 E1•A2 A1•D3 D2•G2 G2•C3 C3•F3 F3

Alternate: Guitar (aka Solo Tuning, or Bass VI Tuning): E2 E1•A2 A1•D3 D2•G2 G2•B2 B2•E3 E3 MexicoIn practice the bottom course (2 strings) is often removed, making the instrument effectively a bajo quinto. Balalaika, alto 3 strings 3 courses E3 E3 A3 Alto Russia See Ekkel (1997) for all Balalaika tunings.Ekkel, Bibs; Complete Balalaika Book; Mel Bay: Pacific. Mo., 1997. pp.xiv, 92. Balalaika, bass 3 strings 3 courses Standard: E2 A2 D3

Old orchestral: E2 A2 E3 Bass Russia Balalaika, contrabass 3 strings 3 courses Standard: E1 A1 D2

Old orchestral: E1 A1 E2 Contrabass Russia Balalaika, descant 3 strings 3 coursesE5 E5 A5 Descant Russia Obsolete Balalaika, piccolo 3 strings 3 courses Standard: B4 E5 A5

Old orchestral: E4 A4 E5 Piccolo Russia Rare Balalaika, prima 3 strings 3 coursesStandard/common: E4 E4 A4

Alternates: Folk: C4 E4 G4 Russian guitar: G3 B3 D4 Prima Russia This is the standard instrument of the balalaika family Balalaika, prima, 6-string 6 strings 3 coursesStandard: E4 E4 • E4 E4 • A4 A4

Alternates: Same as for 3-string prima Prima Russia A more recent development, professionals consider these inferior to 3-string instruments. Balalaika, secunda 3 strings 3 courses A3 A3 D4 Secunda RussiaOften just a prima with altered tuning, though slightly larger secundas are also made. Balalaika, tenor 3 strings 3 courses A2 A2 D3 Tenor Russia Obsolete Bandola Andina Colombiana 16 strings 6 coursesF3 F3•B3 B3•E4 E4 E4•A4 A4 A4•D5 D5 D5•G5 G5 G5 Colombia Bandola Llanera 4 strings 4 courses A2 D3 A3 E4 Venezuela Bandola Oriental 8 strings 4 courses G3 G3•D4 D4•A4 A4•E5 E5 Venezuela Bandolin 15 strings 5 courses E5 E4 E5•A5 A4 A5•D5 D5 D5•F5 F5 F5•B5 B5 B5 Ecuador Bandurria, Philippine 14 strings 6 coursesF3•B3 B3•E4 E4•A4 A4 A4•D5 D5 D5•G5 G5 G5 Philippines One octave higher than the Philippine laud. Bandurria, Spanish 12 strings 6 courses G3 G3•C4 C4•F4 F4•B4 B4•E5 E5•A5 A5 Spain Standard tuning aka "Spanish tuning", one octave higher than the laud. Banjo, bass 4 strings 4 courses E1 A1 D2 G2 US The Cello banjo is sometimes called "bass banjo", but it is tuned differently, and there are true bass banjos as well. Banjo, cello 4 strings 4 courses C2 G2 D3 A3 "Bass" banjo US Same as used for the cello. Banjo, cello 5 strings 5 courses G3 D2 G2 B2 D3 Banjo cello US One octave lower than 5-string bluegrass banjo. Banjo, contrabass 3 strings 3 coursesStandard/common: E1 A1 D2

Alternates: D1 G1 C2 D1 A1 D2 C1 G1 C2 US Essentially in the same range as the bass banjo, but with a much larger resonator. These instruments are very rare, and tuning is not standardized. Man Playing Contrabass BanjoMan Playing Contrabass Banjo Banjo (5-string) 5 strings 5 coursesStandard/common: G4 D3 G3 B3 D4

Alternates: C tuning: G4 C3 G3 B3 D4 Double C: G4 C3 G3 C4 D4 Sawmill: G4 D3 G3 C4 D4 Open D: F4 D3 F3 A3 D4 Guitar: G4 D3 G3 B3 E4 Willie Moore: G4 D3 G3 A3 D4 Doc Bog's D: F4 D3 G3 A3 D4 Cumberland Gap:G4 E3 A3 D4 E4 G Minor: G4 D3 G3 B3 D4 Open C: G4 C3 G3 C4 E4 Bluegrass Banjo US via AfricaStandard aka "Open G" Sawmill aka "mountain modal" Open D aka "Graveyard," "Reuben" Guitar aka "Old G," "Sandy River Belle"

There are dozens of other, less common tunings. Banjolele 4 strings 4 coursesStandard/common: G4 C4 E4 A4

Alternate (traditional): A4 D4 F4 B4 Baritone D3: G3: B3: E4 Banjo ukulele, banjo uke, banjelele, banjulele US Hybrid of banjo and ukulele. Same tuning as a ukulele of the same scale. Banjolin 4 strings 4 courses G3 D4 A4 E5 Mandolin-banjo, Melody Banjo, banjoline, bandoline US Hybrid of mandolin and banjo but with only one string per course Banjo, Long Neck 5 strings 5 courses E4 B2 E3 G3 B3 "Pete Seeger" Banjo US (commissioned by Pete Seeger) Open string tuning; often played with capo on 3rd fret Banjo, tenor 4 strings 4 coursesStandard/common (all fifths): C3 G3 D4 A4

Alternate: Irish (all fifths): G2 D3 A3 E4 US via Africa Irish tuning same as octave mandolin tuning Banjo, Plectrum 4 strings 4 coursesC3 G3 B3 D4

Chicago Tuning: D3 G3 B3 E4US via Africa Baryton 17 strings 17 courses Two ranksBowed rank: A1 D2 G3 C3 E3 A3 D4 Plucked rank: A2 D3 E3 F3 G3 A3 B3 C3 D4 E4 Europe (Germany?) Seven bowed strings, and 10 resonating strings, also plucked with the left thumb Basprim (See Brac, 5 string) (See Brac, 5 string) Bass guitar (See Guitar, bass) (See Guitar, bass) Berimbau 1 string 1 course [*] Brazil * No standard tuning, Biscernica, 5 string 5 strings 4 coursesC3•F3•B3•E4 E4 Bisernica Balkans The prim has 5 strings; there is another bisernica which has 6 strings. Bisernica, 6 string 6 strings 4 courses E3•A3•D4 D4•G4 G4Tamburitza Croatia, Serbia, Hungary, Slovenia Other courses are sometimes doubled. Bordonua 10 strings 5 courses A2 A3•D4 D3•F3 F4•B3 B3•E4 E4 Puerto Rico Bouzouki 8 strings 4 courses C3 C4•F3 F4•A3 A3•D4 D4 Tetrachordo bouzouki Greece Standard aka "F6 tuning" Bouzouki 6 strings 3 courses D3 D4•A3 A3•D4 D4 Trichordo bouzouki Greece Standard aka "F6 tuning" Bouzouki, Irish ( See Irish bouzouki )( See Irish bouzouki ) Brac, 5 string 5 strings 4 coursesStandard/common:

E3•A3•D4•G4 G4

Alternate:

F3•B3•E4•A4 A4 Basprim, Brach Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia Brac, 6 string 6 strings 4 courses G3 G3•D4 D4•A4 A4 Brach Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia Braguinha 4 strings 4 courses D4 G4 B4 D5 Braguinã, Cavaquinho, Machete de braga Madeira, PortugalStandard aka "Banjo tuning" (octave higher than the plectrum banjo) Bugarija, 5 string 5 strings 4 coursesStandard/common: G2•B2•D3•G3 G3

Alternates: D2•F2•A2•D3 D3 E2•G2•B2•E3 E3 Kontra Croatia, Serbia, SloveniaFirst course is sometimes not doubled. Bugarija, 6 string 6 strings 4 coursesStandard/common: G2•B2•D3 D3•G3 G3

Alternates: D2•F2•A2 A2•D3 D3 E2•G2•B2 B2•E3 E3 Kontra Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia

C InstrumentStrings & CoursesTuning(s)Alternative NamesOriginNotesPicture Cak 4 strings 3 coursesD5 D5 • G4 • B4 Steel kroncong guitar Indonesia Cavaquinho 4 strings 4 coursesStandard/common: D4 G4 B4 D5

Alternates: 'Guitar': D4 G4 B4 E5 Alternative: G4 C5 B4 D5 Alternative: A4 A4 C5 E5 Cavaco, Manchete, Machimbo Portugal Cello4 strings 4 coursesStandard/common: C2 G2 D3 A3

Alternates: "5th Suite" tuning: C2 G2 D3 G3 Violoncello Europe Many scordatura tunings have been employed by various composers for individual pieces, for example: "Zoltán Kodály" tuning: B1 F2 D3 A3 "Whole step down" tuning: B1 F2 C3 G3Celo4 stringsCelovic celloses gingaCroatia Serbia Slovenia This is the modern instrumentČelovič, 4 string4 strings 4 coursesE2 A2 D3 G3Celo, Csello, CseloCroatia, Serbia, SloveniaThis is the modern instrument again Čelovič, Farkas6 strings 4 coursesD2•G2•C3 C3•G3 G3Celo, Csello, CseloCroatia, Serbia, SloveniaThe traditional 19th century instrument, developed by Jankovic Farkas, now virtually obsolete. Cetera 16 strings 8 coursesStandard/common: C3 C3•D3 D3•E3 E3•F3 F3•G3 G3•G3 G3•D4 D4•G4 G4

Alternate: Renaissance: G2 G2•A2 A2•C3 C3•D3 D3•A3 A3•G3 G3•D4 D4•E4 E4 Corsica, France.Chanzy3 strings 3 coursesStandard/common: F2 C3 F3

Alternates: D2 A2 D3 C2 G2 C3Chanzi, TyanziTuva, Russia Chapey 3 strings 2 coursesF3 F3 • B3 Chapei, Chapei Dong Veng Cambodia Chapman Stick 10 strings