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This is a list of tunings for stringed musical instruments. Strings or courses are listed from low to high pitch, reading from left to right facing the front of the instrument standing vertically. (The are a few exceptions to this, for instance the mountain dulcimer which is strung in the reverse direction, with the highest sounding courses on the left and the lowest to the right.) Octaves, where shown, are given in scientific pitch notation, where the A above middle C is "A4."

Single-string courses are simply separated by spaces; multiple-string courses (i.e., paired or tripled strings) are shown with the courses separated by bullet characters (•).

File:Octave Designations 4.svg
Octave designation diagram for scientific pitch notation (used by The Acoustical Society of America) and Helmholtz


A

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Archlute F F • G G • A A • B B • C C • D D • E F G C F A D G 20 strings/14 courses
Akkordolia F A c f 4 strings/4 courses Akkordolia in Germany & Austria, Taishogoto in Japan, Bulbul-tarang in India and Benju in Pakistan Germany & Austria / Japan / India / Pakistan Standard tuning

B

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Baglamas (Greek) D4 D5 • A4 A4 • D5 D5 6 strings/3 courses Greece Modal D standard tuning
Bajo quinto A2 A1 • D3 D2 • G2 G2 • C3 C3 • F3 F3 10 strings/5 courses Mexico Standard tuning.
Bajo Sexto E2 E1 • A2 A1 • D3 D2 • G2 G2 • C3 C3 • F3 F3 12 strings/6 courses Mexico Standard tuning
Balalaika E E A 3 strings/3 courses Russia Standard alto tuning
Balalaika E A D 3 strings/3 courses Russia Standard bass tuning
Balalaika E A D 3 strings/3 courses Russia Standard contrabass tuning
Balalaika E E A 3 strings/3 courses Russia Standard piccolo tuning
Balalaika E E A 3 strings/3 courses Russia Standard prima tuning
Balalaika C E G 3 strings/3 courses Russia Folk tuning
Bandola F♯3 F♯3 • B3 B3 • E4 E4 E4 • A4 A4 A4 • D5 D5 D5 • G5 G5 G5 16 strings/4 courses Colombia Standard tuning
Bandola Llanera A3  D4  F♯4  B3 4 strings/4 courses Venezuela Standard tuning.
Bandola Oriental G3 G3 • D4 D4 • A4 A4 • E5 E5 4 strings/4 courses Venezuela Standard tuning.
Bandurria G♯ G♯ • C♯ C♯ • F♯ F♯ • B B • E E • A A 12 strings/6 courses Spain Spanish tuning. One octave higher

than the laud.

banjo (bass) E1 A1 D2 G2 4 strings/4 courses A cello banjo is sometimes called a "bass banjo", but there are true bass banjos as well.
banjo (cello) C2 G2 D3 A3 4 strings/4 courses bass banjo Standard tuning. Same as cello and mandocello
Banjo (tenor) C3 G3 D4 A4 4 strings/4 courses USA via Africa Standard tenor jazz tuning
Banjo (tenor) G2 D3 A3 E4  4 strings/4 courses USA via Africa Irish tenor tuning
Banjo (5-string) G4 D3 G3 B3 D4 5 strings/5 courses USA via Africa Open G tuning
Banjo (5-string) G C G B D 5 strings/5 courses C tuning
Banjo (plectrum) C G B D 4 strings/4 courses USA via Africa Standard plectrum tuning
Baritone guitar B1 E2 A2 D3 F♯3 B3 6 strings/6 courses United States Standard 4th lower tuning
Baritone guitar A1 D2 G2 C3 E3 A3 6 strings/6 courses United States Standard 5th lower tuning
Baritone guitar E1 A1 D2 G2 B2 E3 6 strings/6 courses United States Octave lower tuning
Bass guitar E1 A1 D2 G2 4 strings/4 courses Bass, electric bass Standard 4-string tuning
Bass guitar (5-string) B0 E1 A1 D2 G2 5 strings/5 courses Bass, electric bass E1 A1 D2 G2 C3 is also used
Bass guitar (6-string) B0 E1 A1 D2 G2 C3 6 strings/6 courses Bass, electric bass, Contrabass Guitar
Bisernica EE AA DD GG 8 strings/4 courses Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia
Bordonua A2 A3 • D4 D3 • F♯3 F♯4 • B3 B3 • E4 E4 10 strings/5 courses Puerto Rico
Brac E A D GG 5 strings/4 courses Basprim, Brach Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia
Braguinha D B G D 4 strings/4 courses Braguinã, Machete de braga Portugal
Bugarija G B D GG 5 strings/4 courses Kontra Croatia, Serbia, Slovenia

C

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Cavaquinho D G B D 4 strings/4 courses Cavaco Brazil Standard tuning
Cavaquinho D G B E 4 strings/4 courses Cavaco Brazil 'Guitar' tuning
Cavaquinho G G B D 4 strings/4 courses Cavaco Brazil Alternative tuning
Cavaquinho A A C♯ E 4 strings/4 courses Cavaco Brazil Alternative tuning
Cello C2 G2 D3 A3 4 strings/4 courses Violoncello Standard tuning
Cello C2 G2 D3 G3 4 strings/4 courses Violoncello "5th Suite" tuning
Cello B1 F2♯ D3 A3 4 strings/4 courses Violoncello "Zoltán Kodály" tuning
Cello banjo C2 G2 D3 A3 4 strings/4 courses bass banjo Standard tuning
Cetera cc dd es.es ff gg gg dd gg 16 strings/8 courses Corsica, France. 8 course tuning
Charango G4 G4 • C4 C4 • E5 E4 • A4 A4 • E5 E5 10 strings/5 courses Quirquincho, Mulita, Tatu, Kirki Bolivia, Peru, Argentina

Chile, Ecuador

Standard C6 tuning. 3rd course is an octave pair.
Charangon C4 C4 • F4 F4 • A5 A4 • D5 D5 • A5 A5 10 strings/5 courses Baritone Charango Andean Region F6 tuning
Charangon D4 D4 • G4 G4 • B5 B4 • E5 E5 • B5 B5 10 strings/5 courses Baritone Charango Andean region G6 tuning
Chonguri D F d A 4 strings/4 courses Georgia Standard tuning
Chitarra Battente aa d'd' gg bb e'e' 10 strings/5 courses Cavaco Italy Standard tuning
Cittern CC • GG • DD • AA • DD 10 strings/5 courses Celtic or Flatback Cittern Europe Mandocello tuning
Cittern CC • GG • DD • AA • EE 10 strings/5 courses Celtic or Flatback Cittern Europe Mandolin low 'C' tuning
Cittern DD • GG • DD • AA • DD 10 strings/5 courses Celtic or Flatback Cittern Europe Irish tuning
Cittern DD • GG • DD • GG • DD 10 strings/5 courses Celtic or flatback cittern Europe Modal G tuning
Cittern DD • AA • DD • AA • DD 10 strings/5 courses Celtic or flatback cittern Europe Modal D tuning
Cittern EE • AA • EE • AA • EE 10 strings/5 courses Celtic or flatback cittern Europe Modal A tuning
Cittern GG • DD • AA • EE • BB 10 strings/5 courses Celtic or flatback cittern Europe Mandolin High 'B' tuning
Cittern AA • DD • AA • DD • AA 10 strings/5 courses Celtic or flatback cittern Europe Modal D tuning
Cuatro B3 B2 • E4 E3 • A3 A3 • D4 D4 • G4 G4 10 strings/5 courses Puerto Rico Standard tuning
Cuatro A3 D4 F♯4 B3 4 strings/4 courses Venezuela Standard D6 tuning
Cümbüş A A • B B • E E • A A • D D • G G 12 strings/6 courses Turkey Standard tuning
Cümbüş D D • E E • A A • D D • G G • C C 12 strings/6 courses Turkey Alternative standard tuning
Cümbüş D D • G G • A A • D D • G G • C C 12 strings/6 courses Turkey Egyptian/Arab tuning
Cümbüş E E • A A • B B • E E • A A • D D 12 strings/6 courses Turkey Turkish/Armenian tuning
Cümbüş C♯ C♯ • F♯ F♯ • B B • E E • A A • D D 12 strings/6 courses Turkey Turkish Armenian alternative tuning
Cümbüş F♯ F♯ • B B • E E • A A • D D • G G 12 strings/6 courses Turkey New Turkish classical tuning
Cümbüş A A • D D • E E • A A • D D • G G 12 strings/6 courses Turkey Old Turkish classical tuning
Cura cümbüş G G • D D • A A • E E 8 strings/4 courses Turkey Standard mandolin-style tuning
Tambor cümbüş D D • A A • D D 6 strings/3 courses Turkey Standard tambor cümbüş tuning

D

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Dan Ghita c f c' g' c 5 strings/5 courses Ghita, Vietnamese guitar, Luc huyen cam Vietnam Standard open tuning
Danday g c' f' 3 strings/3 courses Vo de cam Vietnam Standard tuning
Domra E A D 3 strings/3 courses Russia Standard tuning
Domra G D A E 4 strings/4 courses Ukraine Standard "mandolin" fifths tuning
Double bass E1 A1 D2 G2 4 strings/4 courses Bass, bass fiddle, contrabass, string bass, standup bass, doghouse bass Orchestral tuning
Double bass F♯1 B1 E2 A2 4 strings/4 courses Bass (as above) Solo tuning
Dulcimer A3 A3 D3  3-6 strings/3 courses Mountain, Appalachian or Lap

Dulcimer (Dulcimore, Delcimore, Delcimer)

United States Ionian Tuning (The traditional dulcimer is fretted diatonically whole, whole, half, whole, whole, half, whole. )
Dulcimer D4 A3 D3  Mixolydian Tuning
Dulcimer G3 A3 D3  Dorian Tuning
Dulcimer C4 A3 D3  Aeolian Tuning

E

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Erhu D4 A4 2 strings/2 courses Nanhu China Standard tuning

G

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Gadulka A3 E3 A4 3 strings/3 courses The Balkans 3 playing strings, with up to 10 sympathetic strings.
Greek Bouzouki C3 C4 • F3 F4 • A3 A3 • D4 D4 8 strings/4 courses Tetrachordo bouzouki Greece Standard F6 tuning
Greek Bouzouki D3 D4 • A3 A3 • D4 D4 6 strings/3 courses Trichordo bouzouki Greece Standard F6 tuning
Guitar E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 6 strings/6 courses Axe, Guit-box (both colloquial) Spain Standard tuning
Guitar D2 A2 D3 G3 A3 D4 6 strings/6 courses " DADGAD Dsus4 tuning
Guitar D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 D4 6 strings/6 courses " Double drop D tuning
Guitar D2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 6 strings/6 courses " Drop D tuning
Guitar E2 A2 E3 A3 C♯3 E4 6 strings/6 courses " Open A major tuning
Guitar C2 G2 C3 G3 C3 E4 6 strings/6 courses " Open C major tuning
Guitar D2 A2 D3 F♯3 A3 D4 6 strings/6 courses " Open D major tuning
Guitar E2 B2 E3 G♯3 B3 E4 6 strings/6 courses " Open E major tuning
Guitar E2 B2 E3 G3 B3 E4 6 strings/6 courses " Open E minor tuning
Guitar D2 G2 D3 G3 B3 D4 6 strings/6 courses " Open G major tuning
Guitar D2 G2 D3 G3 B♭3 D4 6 strings/6 courses " Open G minor tuning
Guitar E2 A2 D3 G3 C3 F4 6 strings/6 courses " " 'perfect fourths', 'all fourths' or 'P4' tuning
Guitar E3 E2 • A3 A2 • D4 D3 • G4 G3 • B3 B3 • E4 E4 12 strings/6 courses Twelve-stringed Guitar Standard tuning. Some players tune the second course G string to unison to minimize breakage.
Guitar Banjo E2 A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 6 strings/6 courses Standard guitar tuning
Guitarrón A1 D2 G2 C3 E3 A2 6 strings/6 courses Mexico Standard tuning
Guitarrón Chileno F#5 • A4 • D4 D4 D3 D3 D2 • G4 G4 G4 G3 G3 • C4 C4 C3 C2 • E4 E4 E4 • A4 A4 A4 • G4 • B4 25 strings/8 courses Chile Standard tuning
Guqin C D F G A c d 7 strings/7 courses China Standard 'Zheng Diao' tuning

H

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Hardingfele A D A E 4 strings/4 courses Hardanger violin Norway Also has 8 or 9 sympathetic strings
Harzither GG • CC • EE • GG 8 strings/4 courses Bergzither Germany
Huapanguera G2 • D3 D4 • G3 G3 • B3 B3 • E3 8 strings/5 courses Mexico

I

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Irish bouzouki G3 G2 • D4 D3 • A3 A3 • D4 D4 8 strings/4 courses zouk Ireland Irish tuning (octaves)
Irish bouzouki G2 G2 • D3 D3 • A3 A3 • D4 D4 8 strings/4 courses " " Irish tuning (unison pairs)
Irish bouzouki G3 G2 • D4 D3 • A3 A3 • E4 E4 8 strings/4 courses " " "Mandolin" tuning (octaves)
Irish bouzouki G2 G2 • D3 D3 • A3 A3 • E4 E4 8 strings/4 courses " " "Mandolin" tuning (unison pairs)
Irish bouzouki A3 A2 • D4 D3 • A3 A3 • D4 D4 8 strings/4 courses " " Modal D tuning (octaves)
Irish bouzouki A2 A2 • D3 D3 • A3 A3 • D4 D4 8 strings/4 courses " " Modal D tuning (unison pairs)

J

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Jouhikko D A E 3 strings/3 courses Jouhikannel Finland Standard tuning

K

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Kacapi A# B C# F F# 6 strings/3 courses Malaysia Uses the pelog scale. Tuning is approximated to western notation.
Kabosi DD G#G# AA 6 strings/3 courses Madagascar Standard Open D tuning
Kobsa GG DD GG CC 8 strings/4 courses Kobuz Moldavia, Romania, Hungary Standard tuning
Kobsa DD AA DD GG 8 strings/4 courses Kobuz Moldavia, Romania, Hungary Alternative tuning
Komuz A E A 3 strings/3 courses Qomuz, Gopuz, Kopuz, Kopus Kyrgyzstan Standard tuning
Kwitra GG EE AA DD 8 strings/4 courses Kuitra, Kouitra, Quwaytara Algeria Standard tuning

L

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Laúd G♯ C♯ F♯ B E A 12 strings/6 courses Spanish laud Spain Standard tuning
Luiqin g d' g' d 4 strings/4 courses liuyeqin, willow leaf instrument China Standard tuning
Lute GG cc ff aa d'd' g'g' 12 strings/6 courses Europe Medieval tuning 6-course tuning
Lute C'C D'D E♭'E♭ F'F G'G Cc FF AA dd g 19 strings/10 courses Europe Renaissance 10-course tuning
Lute D'D F'F G'G Cc FF AA dd g 15 strings/8 courses Europe Renaissance 8-course tuning
Lute A"A' B"B' C'C D'D E'E F'F G'G A'A' DD FF AA d f 24 strings/13 courses Europe Baroque D minor tuning for 13 courses

M

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Mandobass E1 A1 D2 G2 4 strings/4 courses Standard tuning
Mandola C3 C3 • G3 G3 • D4 D4 • A4 A4 8 strings/4 courses Tenor mandola Standard tuning. Pitched a 5th below mandolin tuning.
Known in Europe as the tenor mandola.
Mandocello C2 C2 • G2 G2 • D3 D3 • A3 A3 8 strings/4 courses mandolincello or mandoloncello Standard tuning. Pitched an octave below the mandola.
Mandolin G3 G3 • D4 D4 • A4 A4 • E5 E5 8 strings/4 courses Mando (colloquial) Standard tuning
Mandolin (piccolo) C4 C4 • G4 G4 • D5 D5 • A5 A5 8 strings/4 courses Brilliant tone mandolin Standard tuning
Mandolin (Octave) G2 G2 • D3 D3 • A3 A3 • E4 E4 8 strings/4 courses Octave mandola Standard tuning. Known in Europe as the octave mandola.
Pitched an octave below the mandolin.
Mejorana D4 A4 A3 B3 E4 5 strings/5 courses Panama Standard tuning
Mejorana D4 G4 G3 B3 E3 5 strings/5 courses Panama Alternative tuning

N

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes

O

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Octave Guitar E3 A4 D4 G4 B4 E5 6 strings/6 courses Soprano guitar see Soprano guitar

P-Q

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Pipa A d e a 4 strings/4 courses China Standard tuning
Portuguese Guitar / guitarra portuguesa dD aA bB ee aa bb 12 strings/6 courses Portugal Lisbon / Lisboa tuning
Portuguese Guitar / guitarra portuguesa cC gG aA dd gg aa 12 strings/6 courses Portugal Coimbra tuning

R

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Rajao D G C E AA 6 strings/5 courses Rajão Portugal
Ramkie C F A C 4 strings/4 courses Afri-can, Kitaar South Africa Common 4-string open tuning
Requinto A2 D3 G3 C4 E4 A4 6 strings/6 courses Latin America Standard tuning
Ronroco G3 G3 • C3 C3 • E4 E3 • A3 A3 • E4 E4 10 strings/5 courses Ronrroco Andean Region Standard C6 tuning (tuned an octave below the charango).
Russian guitar D G B D G B D 7 strings/7 courses semistrunnaya gitara, semistrunka Russia Standard tuning

S

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Sanshin C F C 3 strings/3 courses Okinawa shamisen, jabisen Ryukyu Islands, Japan Standard tuning
Setar cc' g c' 4 strings/3 courses Iran Standard tuning
Shamisen D G D 3 strings/3 courses Japan Standard "Honchoshi" tuning
Shamisen D G C 3 strings/3 courses Japan "San sagari" tuning
Shamisen D A D 3 strings/3 courses Japan "Ni agari" tuning
Sitar C5 C4 G3 C2 G2/C2 C2 F2 3 drone strings, 5 melody strings, usually 12 sympathetic strings. North India 5th string can be tuned in C. Sympathetic strings are tuned depending on the raga being played.
Soprano guitar E3 A4 D4 G4 B4 E5 6 strings/6 courses Octave guitar Standard tuning
Socavon E D A B 4 strings/4 courses Bocona Panama Standard tuning
Strumstick G D G 3 strings/3 courses Dulcitar, Dulcimer stick, Strumbly USA Standard tuning

T

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Tahitian ukulele G4 G4 • C5 C5 • E5 E5 • A4 A4. 8 strings/4 courses Tahitian banjo, Ukulélé Tahitien, Youke (coloquial). Tahiti Standard tuning
Tar C3 C4 • G3 • C4C4 4 strings/3 courses Iran Standard tuning
Tarica C2 • G2 G2 • C3 C3 5 strings/3 courses Tarika, Tricord, Trichord Europe Standard tuning
Tarica D2 • A2 A2 • D3 D3 5 strings/3 courses Tarika, Tricord, Trichord Europe Ionian tuning
Taro patch G3 G4 • C3 C4 • E4 E4 • A4 A4 8 strings/4 courses Taropatch Hawaii Standard C6 tuning. The taro patch is a double-string ukulele.
Terzin Kitarra G#2 B2 E3 A3 C#4 E4 6 strings/6 courses Malta Standard 'sol' tuning.
Tenor guitar C3 • G3 • D4 • A4 4 strings/4 courses USA Standard tuning.
Timple G4 C5 E4 A4 D5 5 strings/5 courses Canary Islands, Spain. Standard tuning.
Tiple D4 D3 D4 • G4 G3 G4 • B3 B3 B3 • E4 E4 E4 12 strings/4 courses Colombia Standard Colombian G6 tuning.
Tiple A A • D D D • F♯ F♯ F♯ • B B 10 strings/4 courses USA Standard D6 tuning. The D and F♯ are triple-strung; the other strings are paired.
Trembulo AA • DD • GG • CC 8 strings/4 courses South America New D major tuning
Tres G4 G3 • C4 C4 • E4 E3 6 strings/3 courses Tres Cubano, Cuban Tres Cuba Standard C major tuning
Tres A4 A3 • D4 D4 • F♯4 F♯3 6 strings/3 courses Tres Cubano, Cuban Tres Cuba New D major tuning
Tzouras D3 D4 • A3 A3 • D4 D4 6 strings/3 courses Tzouras Greece Standard tuning

U-V

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Ud C#/D F# B E A D 11 strings/6 courses Oud (Arabic) Middle East New Turkish classical tuning. Lowest (single) string pitch varies. Notated a fourth higher.
Ukulele G4 C4 E4 A4 4 strings/4 courses Uke (colloquial) Hawaii Standard C6 tuning for soprano, concert and tenor.
Ukulele A4 D4 F♯4 B4 4 strings/4 courses Uke (colloquial) Hawaii D6 tuning for soprano, concert and tenor.
Ukulele D4 G3 B3 E4 (Baritone) 4 strings/4 courses Baritone uke (colloquial) Hawaii Standard baritone uke G6 tuning
Viol D G C E A D (bass viol) 6 strings/6 courses Bass viol tuning
Viol A D G C E A D (bass viol) 7 strings/7 courses 7-string bass viol tuning
Viol G C F A D G (tenor viol) 6 strings/6 courses Tenor viol tuning
Viola braguesa cC, gG, aA, dd, gg 4 strings/4 courses Portugal Standard tuning
Viola C3 G3 D4 A4 4 strings/4 courses Standard tuning. Pitched a 5th below the violin.
Violin G3 D4 A4 E5 4 Strings/4 courses Fiddle (colloquial) Lombardy Standard tuning
Violin F3 C4 G4 D5 4 Strings/4 courses Fiddle (colloquial) Cajun tuning to accompany accordion

W-X

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes
Walaycho C4 C4 • F4 F4 • A5 A4 • D5 D5 • A5 A5 10 strings/5 courses Waylacho, hualaycho, maulincho Andean region F6 tuning
Walaycho D4 D4 • G4 G4 • B5 B4 • E5 E5 • B5 B5 10 strings/5 courses Waylacho, hualaycho, maulincho Andean region G6 tuning
Waldzither C G C E G 9 strings/5 courses Forest zither Germany Open C major standard tuning
Waldzither G D G B D 9 strings/5 courses Forest zither Germany Open G major tuning
Waldzither G D G B D 9 strings/5 courses Forest zither Germany Open G major standard tuning. Mandolin-sized waldzither.

Y-Z

Instrument Tuning Strings & Courses Alternative Names Origin Notes

See also

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