If you’ve started looking into a ukulele or have recently started playing one, you’ve likely heard of reentrant tuning. And, chances are, if you’re new to the uke and haven’t been around other reentrant instruments like the banjo or mandolin, it was probably the first time you’d heard of it. Either way, you found yourself here and we’re happy to answer this one for you.
Reentrant tuning is a way to tune a stringed instrument so that there is a break in the ascending or descending pitch of each sequential string. In other words, each string does not step to a higher or lower pitch in a linear order. At least one string will break the sequence, whether it is a rise or fall, before the next string re-enters and continues with the rise or fall.
If you like drinking from a fire hydrant, I will assume that was enough for you to be on your way. But if you’re anything like me, you might enjoy having that explanation ran through a percolator. 🙂
More on Reentrant Tuning
The concept sounds much more complicated than it really is in practice. The best way to explain it, in my opinion, is with a couple of visuals. Take a minute to look at the first image below, and I’ll see you on the other side. 😉
In the image above each number represents one of the four strings on a ukulele. The strings go in order from thickest to thinnest, with number “4” representing the thickest string while the number “1” represents the thinnest string. When holding a ukulele in playing position, the string closest to the ceiling is the 4th string (thickest).
With that in mind, in linear tuning, each string gets higher in pitch as you move from the thickest to thinnest strings, or in other words from the 4th to the 1st strings.
However, with reentrant tuning, although the strings stay in the same order (by thickness), they are tuned so that at least one string breaks the pattern of pitch that naturally moves sequentially with the thickness of strings.
For the ukulele specifically, it has a reentrant tuning of gCEA (the “g” is lowercase to indicate that it is higher). This tuning is often referred to as high-g. In fact, you might hear uke players frequently say that their uke is in low-g or high-g. This is what they are referring to, as it is a more descriptive way of explaining whether they are playing in reentrant (high-g) or linear (low-g).
One thing to also note here is that with ukuleles, the “g” is actually higher pitched than both of the middle two strings (2nd and 3rd strings). This tuning pattern is what gives the ukulele it’s quintessential sound. When a ukulele is tuned in low g, it still sounds nice and your chords are the same, but it starts to sound a bit more like a classical guitar or mandolin. It also requires a different set of strings, so moving between the two tuning styles is a process.
We’ll sum it up via a picture; take a look at the following image to hopefully really help hammer this concept home. The image shows where the notes for a reentrant tuning of a uke would fall on a piano vs its linear tuning.
Bringing the 4th string up an octave really brings out that bright uke sound while the lower 2nd and 3rd string help to keep the warm tones in there. In short, the quintessential ukulele sound.
Why Are Ukulele’s Tuned To gCEA or Reentrant?
It is my understanding that the ukulele is commonly tuned to gCEA because it allows the ukulele to be played in the key of C. The key of C is the most commonly used in modern songs. It also makes the ukulele extremely easy to learn and allows for an easy transition between the uke and guitar. Finger positions for chords, although they will actually represent different chords, stay the same between the uke and the guitar. By that, I mean that strings 1-4 on a guitar and strings 1-4 on a uke are played the same. The chords will be different on each instrument, but they will actually be the same. So this tuning makes it very easy to transition from the guitar, for example.
Are Tenors and Baritones Tuned Differently?
They can be.
Baritones are tuned to different notes than Soprano-Tenor Ukes. They are most commonly tuned like the last 4 strings of a guitar. The Tenor guitar and Baritone Ukulele are similar instruments, their difference largely being size and depth of tone.
Tenor Ukes can be tuned High g (reentrant) or Low G (Linear). Linear tuning is often chosen if the player wants to pick the notes and needs a wider range.
Your tuning decision will likely be determined by your playing style. Most Ukulele players strum the rhythm. They enjoy the sound of the Uke and provide the chords and timing for singing songs as they play.
Players who want to play lead, will need a wider range and easier configuration to run scales as they pick out their different notes in the song. Your playing style and tuning on Tenor Ukuleles will really come down to a personal preference, and to be honest, most uke players end up with a few different sizes so that they can enjoy both.