High G vs Low G Ukulele: Which Tuning Should You Use?

What re-entrant tuning means

On a guitar, the strings go steadily higher from the thickest to the thinnest. Standard ukulele tuning breaks that pattern. From the 4th string to the 1st, it’s G4 C4 E4 A4, so the 4th string (G4) is actually higher than the 3rd string (C4). A tuning where the pitch order doubles back on itself like this is called re-entrant tuning.

Tuning that 4th string to the high G is called high G. Dropping it an octave to G3, for G3 C4 E4 A4, is called low G, sometimes described as “linear” tuning because the strings now run in order from low to high. Both use the same note names, G C E A, so every chord shape you know stays exactly the same.

High G tuning (G4 C4 E4 A4)

The bright, jangly sound most people picture when they think of a ukulele is high G. All four strings sit close together in pitch, so strummed chords sound light and crisp. Because the high G is the second-highest string after the A, a downstroke hits a high note first, which is a big part of the instrument’s signature sound.

Why choose high G:

• High G is the default setup, so a lot of method books, songbooks and tabs assume it, and some say “high G” right in the title.
• Neighboring notes of a melody can fall on different strings, so they ring into each other with a harp-like effect.
• If you want that classic, cheerful ukulele sound, high G is the safe default.

Low G tuning (G3 C4 E4 A4)

With low G, the 4th string drops an octave and gives the ukulele a real bottom end. The sound is warmer and fuller, a little closer to a guitar.

• The range is wider and the notes run in order from G up to A, which helps with fingerstyle solos where you play melody and bass together.
• Song accompaniment sounds less thin on the bottom.
• On the other hand, high-G arrangements that use the 4th string for melody notes will sound an octave lower than intended, which can change how the tune comes across.

How they sound and play

Since the chord shapes are identical, you can switch tunings and keep playing the same songs. The difference is character: high G is bright and airy, low G is rounder and heavier. Neither is better. It depends on the music you play.

• Strumming along to songs or working through a beginner book? Go high G.
• Playing solo arrangements or styles like jazz that benefit from low notes? Try low G.

Instrument size matters too. Low G is most often discussed for tenor ukuleles. Check the size listed on the string package, or ask the shop where you bought your uke, before you switch.

Switching strings

You can’t just tune a high G string down an octave. It’s far too thin, so it would be floppy and barely make a sound. To switch to low G you need a thicker low G string. You can buy a full set that includes a low G, or replace just the 4th string with a single low G string.

If the new string catches in the nut or sounds strange after the change, don’t force it. Have a shop take a look. And like any new string, a fresh low G will stretch and go flat for the first few days, so expect to retune often.

Tuning either one

Our ukulele tuner comes with one preset: standard high G tuning (G4 C4 E4 A4). For high G, pluck one string at a time starting with the 4th string and move on when the needle reaches the green center. Tapping a string name plays that string’s reference pitch, which is handy if you want to tune by ear.

There’s no low G preset yet. The ukulele preset expects a high G on the 4th string, so a low G3 can be read as the wrong string. For low G, open all tuners, set Tuning to Chromatic (any note), and tune the 4th string until the display shows G3. Chromatic mode simply shows the nearest note, so it works for any string. The other three strings (C4 E4 A4) are the same as high G, so you can tune those on the ukulele page as usual.