More about me. That is usually done to give the ukulele its signature sound. Pros. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. This is fine, but can make for an unmatched (and unideal) feeling set. In addition, that thickness can act as a resistance to the movement of the string. It’s best for a more traditional, Tin Pan Alley or Hawaiian rhythm sound or a campanella picking style. Diese Stimmung wird vor allem bei Tenorukulelen verwendet und kann nur mit … Low G – GCEA in ascending order; Low G – gCEA with the G-string 1 octave up; Do not forget to check each string pack you buy. It's played just the same but sounds a bit deeper. Sometimes called the C string, … UkuleleWorld © 2019-2020. Mellow Tone; Solid sustain; Durable; Cons . If you have a soprano uke you will note that your G string is thinner than the next string along (the C), not thicker, and this is because it is designed to be tuned higher. That is usually done to give the ukulele its signature sound. Step 1: Standard re-entrant tuning goes high-low-high, like this (watch the notes): Changing to a low-G moves the first note down one octave and keeps the strings ascending all the way through the tuning. What is a Low-G? It’s a more contemporary sound that is gaining popularity every day. That note is an A. If you detune a standard high-g string by one octave it will be very flabby and sound bad. Ukuleles are usually set up for a high-g string from the factory since this is the most common tuning. Though the string material itself is exactly the same, I prefer getting the later which is long enough for 3 low-Gs and ends up being cheaper. The third string. It can get a little tricky to get used to having just one different string. An unwound Worth low G comes as standard on a KoAloha, a wound Fremont squeakless string comes with a Blackbird Clara - Many luthiers use classical guitar strings for the same job. Before you can just tune your ukulele, you need a special string. But if you try to put a larger string in a thin nut slot, it won’t be able to fit. If you’ve tried just tuning your G string to a lower octave without doing any research, you must have noticed it is not working properly. Low G tuning allows for a wider range of sounds and takes away the bright sound of the ukulele. Tuning. r/ukulele: The ukulele is a four-stringed Hawaiian instrument in the lute family with roots in the island of Madeira in Portugal. Click the "Play" button under the "g" note to hear the pitch. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. more general information on ukulele strings. This is called linear tuning. In fact, tune the ukulele before changing the strings, that way as you put one new string on at time you have a reference as to how it should sound. Whether you purchase an individual G string or a whole set, they’re made of a breed of fluorocarbon. You may even notice that your standard G string is thinner than the other strings as it is designed for higher octaves. Having metal as the outside layer has its advantages and disadvantages. You cannot use the string set that you have for a high G tuning to tune your ukulele to a low G. Going down one octave in the G string will most likely cause flopping as the G string is not designed to be tuned so low. The duration of a note is determined by three elements: the note head, stem, and flag. If you want to produce the typical classic ukulele sound, steel strings are not for you. We don’t recommend metal strings for ukuleles, except possibly the baritone versions. These strings sound great on my Makala baritone ukulele. If you mainly strum your ukulele, the difference between the two strings won’t – from a technical standpoint – be very noticeable. Bei der GCEA-Stimmung ergibt es einen offenen C6 Akkord, so erreicht man den typischen Ukulelen Sound. Thomastik-Infeld CF27 & CF30 – Made in Vienna, Austria, these strings are the best of the best. You can strum the same way with a high-g or low-G and not have to change anything about your playing. Wound low-G technology has improved over the years. The drawback is that to create an unwound string that will tune to low-G pitch at a decent tension, you need a larger string diameter. Adjust the fourth string with the tuning pegs on the headstock until the two strings sound the same. It is when you set your G string to a lower octave, thus setting the strings linearly from lowest to highest. Ensure your fingers are not touching other strings. Tuning to low G is not a complicated process in the slightest. However, if you spend a lot of time picking single notes or playing solo arrangements, you’ll need to rearrange your fretting patterns when switching from high-g to low-G – or vice versa. Die vierte Saite ist hoch gestimmt und sorgt für das so genannte „close voicing“. When tuning the G string an octave lower, the string would flop, and you’d need to retune it quite often. It also supposedly has a higher density that allows for a smaller diameter string. This means the string will sit properly in the nut at the right height over the fretboard. As the sound is playing (as long as the "Play" button is activated the sound will keep looping), first, hum the note and get it in your head. It keeps the notes in a chord closer together for tighter-sounding voicings. These are usually round wound (which means squeaks) and don’t balance very nicely with other strings in a set – even though they often come as part of a set. Without further ado, here’s what you need to do. Thread Tools. The pitch you can tune each string to has to do with its physical mass. It has been quite a journey since starting GString Ukulele Co. way back in 1997. Some people have more acidic sweat the deadens strings very quickly and may need to change strings every … Sometimes as you are tuning a new string you may wonder if you aren’t even close or going too far, with other strings to reference you will always know you are close. These strings tend to generate a sound that is brighter and louder than the other options on the list. That tuning will give the ukulele a more low-pitched or a darker sound. While installing the strings, I think I found why people are breaking strings during installation. Though not specifically designed for it, they will serve the purpose fine. Tune this bottom string to G4. Besides, wound strings generally have smaller diameters than unwound strings. Your ukulele is most likely tuned to high G. High G tuning means that the G string is set higher than any other string. Only available in one size, but cheaper than a CF27. That thickness of the string can also be uncomfortable at first, but you can quickly get used to it. But remember, there are 2 versions of this. It might also be a combination of several parts. A unique compromise to this dilemma is a 5-string ukulele. It may be necessary to file them with a fret file. Some may find the G string too loud; The EJ65T tenor string pack offers unsurpassed intonation and a projecting acoustic tone. Simply answer the question: does my uke sound better with a high, tighter sound or a lower, deep one? When you pick the first string (A), it should sound the same as the A on the G string. Diameter: .030″, Classical Guitar D-strings – Any string used as a nylon classical guitar 4th, D-string can also be used as an ukulele low-G. I just got my first own uke but the C string sounds off, like there some kind of resonance or something. From my grandparent’s garage (1993-1997), to my first commercial shop in Halawa Valley (1997-2009), then on to Hilo (2009-2014), and finally Las Vegas, Nevada (2014-??? Some tuner apps will tell you which octave you are in in addition to the pitch of the string. The banjo ukulele or the ‘banjo uke’ and ‘banjolele’ are familiar as a progressive instrument that creates a unique sound. Meaning, your G string is higher than all other strings. Aquila Red – One of the “weirdest” strings to appear on the market, possibly ever. Still, it’s not a big issue, and you can easily get over it over time. Common metals used for ukulele strings are steel and titanium. A standard ukulele is tuned to a high G. Now, what high G means is that the G string is set higher than the C string. Hence the reason most unwound low-G strings sound a bit lifeless and sometimes even muffled. A “low-G” ukulele string is a slight tuning variation from standard GCEA. I’ve taught workshops internationally, made Herb Ohta Jr. laugh until he cried, and once jammed with HAPA onstage in my boardshorts. Starting with the pros; metal guarantees a longer lifespan as it can act as a protection layer over the nylon. Beginner Series. This is also called linear tuning, much like how a standard guitar is set. However, it can be uncomfortable for you since it is a different material than the rest of the strings. Let's tune the ukulele's top string first or the 4th string. Sometimes buzzes can also occur due to over strumming or the position of the strum. We find about two percent of strings are “bad” and tend to run flat, and this is most prevalent on the high G and A strings. The common tuning is GCEA. I mostly play the high G stringing. Oftentimes wound low-G strings will fit into a stock nut slot. All things being equal, a thicker string can be tuned lower than a thin one. Implementation is a trade off between tension and over-dampening. I was concerned by the reviews that the strings would break. How to String a Ukulele. The standard string notes for soprano, concert, and tenor ukuleles are G-C-E-A. Getting a clean sound from a ukulele depends on good technique with your fretting fingers. Having these additional “bass” notes can be useful for solo fingerpicking arrangements which allows you to get a more rounded sound when playing by yourself. Welcome to our … Press J to jump to the feed. That means that the sound can be a bit muffled and just generally not as good as you’d expect it to be. Basically as you run up the strings from 1-4, you hear notes … A high-g is G4: 392hz. Meaning, your G string is higher than all other strings. A low-G is a replacement string that you can put on your ukulele to change the pitch of the G-string down one octave. Typically, this string is called the G string. It would also be beneficial to determine if the instrument is slotted-head or not. The obvious advantage is that these smooth strings don’t make any noise when you move your hand. Ukulele Beginners; Low G string sounds bad; Page 2 of 2 First 1 2. A half note ( h ), as the name suggests, is half of that: two beats. ukuleleworld.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon (includes .com, .ca, .co.uk, .de, .it, .es and .fr) and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. Metal Strings. If your technique is spot on, pick or strum open strings (without pressing down on the fretboard) and listen carefully to hear your ukulele buzzing. Aquila and others make low-G strings for the ukulele, and many great ukulele … Go slowly and check the fitment of the string often to make sure you don’t sand too much. Diameters: .027″ and .030″ (.035″ also available). Place your finger just behind the second fret on the G string (fourth string). I’m an ukulele artist from Honokaʻa, Hawaiʻi, where I run this site from an off-grid cabin in the jungle. Premium Members will gain access to the following lesson videos and tabs. This can create cool piano-like note clusters which really kick ass when playing jazz chords. Find the Ukulele sound you are looking for in seconds. By tuning with a high G on a ukulele, the G string is not tuned to the G below C, but the G above C. This gives the ukulele its bright uke like sound and is the traditional tuning method. They balance fabulously with fluorocarbon and are flatwound to reduce noise from hand shifts. Since more and more people are transitioning to low-G, many uke companies are anticipating the use of both string types and file the nut so that it will accommodate either. User account menu. I like insTuner. So why move to one of the hottest, driest states in the US? It gives a significantly different sound from a standard high G tuning and it seems to become more and more popular by the day. Here are two ukulele of the same model, one with high-g, one with low-G: It’s only a couple hundredths of an inch difference, but you can see that the high-g is smaller in diameter than the low-G. The playability of your ukulele will suffer and you’ll have to push the string further down to make it contact each fret. The string will sit up in the slot and rest too high above the fretboard. A standard ukulele is tuned to a high G. Now, what high G means is that the G string is set higher than the C string. That’s to say that playing this instrument is easy and fun. The A string will be the one closest to the floor Most ukuleles come with a high G string as standard. It’s a more contemporary sound that is gaining popularity every day. A “low-G” ukulele string is a slight tuning variation from standard GCEA. Once you're certain you've heard the pitch, pluck the top string, or the g-string (4th string), on your ukulele. The fret ends are sometimes a bit sloppy. It comes with a high G string, but it gives an excellent, full-bodied, mellow sound if restrung with a low G string. Before we begin, let me remind you that it is necessary that you know if your ukulele is using a tie-bar bridge or standard bridge. The main difference between the two string sizes is how they sound. Download FREE Ukulele sounds - royalty-free! Standard notation is written on a five-line staff, with notes in alphabetical order, from A to G. Every time you pass a G, the sequence of notes repeats, starting with A. Savarez KF95 – This specialty harp string is the perfect compromise for my playing. Better Together Jack Johnson . Low-G strings come in two types: wound and unwound. Instead, low G gives a more full or a darker sound since it is tuned like a guitar would. On the other hand, there are unwound strings. Always try to avoid this and form your own opinions. 13. Thanks all for the tips! Because of this design, wound strings can hold the same tension as an unwound string with a smaller diameter. A quarter note (q) is one beat; an eighth note ( e ), half of a beat; and a 16th note (x), a qua… The problem is that these strings are located very close to each other and probably canʻt be plucked separately. If you change the G string for a guitar string, you now have a low-G on your ukulele (instead of having a high-G that's one octave above). To get an idea what styles and sounds you can achieve, here are some artists and the G-string they use. This tuning can be a significant door opener for you to play a wider range of harmonies that you may not have been able to play before. Andererseits gibt es auch die "Low G" -Variante, welche besonders bei Solospiel verwendet wird. You rarely have to adjust the depth of the slot, only the width. For most concert, soprano, and tenor ukulele players, G-C-E-A tuning is typical.This translates to the following on a concert ukulele: The fourth string. Thankfully, leaps and bounds have been made in wound low-G production and there are some really good options available these days that address both imbalance and squeaking issues. Knowing all these stuff can lessen the complication every time you change the strings of your ukulele. For just above $5, you can give your uke a vibrant and refreshed sound. This is why you need a replacement string in order to tune to low-G. On the other hand, if you try to tune a low-G string up an octave to high-g pitch, it will probably break since it will be super tight for its size. A whole note (w) equals four beats. Today we examine the difference in sound on a ukulele with high G tuning and low G tuning. Tenor, concert, and soprano ukulele are generally tunes GCEA (With either a high or Low G). This makes for a more warm, full sound and creates a wider range of notes when you play any chord. Options abound! This is simply a matter of studying the intricacies of the tuning matrix and finding alternative ways to play the same notes. This will be difficult at first but practice! View Profile View Forum Posts Private Message Junior Member Join Date Nov 2020 Posts 3. Blue Christmas Elvis Presley * Learn to strum and sing a Christmas classic! These low-G strings are commonly found as part of a set and are made of the same material as the other strings (usually a breed of fluorocarbon). The nuts and the fret ends may be a bit sharp. What is the right answer for me? Setting the ukulele to low G means that the strings will be set from low to high. (Though I’m a fan of Savarez classical strings so I’d probably start experimenting with a 544R.). The buzz can be either at the tuning pegs (headstock), the nut, the saddle, the bridge, the body or at the frets (= string buzzing). This tuning method is called re-entrant tuning. We will review a few different types of banjo ukuleles below. Then, place the sandpaper file in the nut slot and gently slide it back and forth along the length of the slot. Otherwise, hire someone competent to do the job. Generic – The unwound low-G string that comes with sets from the likes of Worth, Living Water, Oasis, Fremont, and others are all very similar in my experience. These strings are created just like you’d think: with a nylon or metal strand in the middle and a metal winding around it on the outside. Seems obvious, but lots of people latch onto one stigma or another and take whatever they read somewhere as gospel, avoiding that other string. It’s simply because the diameter of the string is creating a dampening effect on the string vibrations. Low G Ukulele Songs. New, non-fluorocarbon materials like Aquila Red claim to achieve a higher tension with a smaller-diameter string, but they haven’t seemed to have caught on so jury is still out…. Then string up accordingly. Ukulele String Notes & Names. Baritones ukulele are tuned much like the top four strings of a guitar: DGBE. If you try to tune a low-G string to high-g pitch it will most likely break. This is not usually the case for unwound low-Gs. If you want a powerful low-G sound this might be a good option, but most people find them overpowering. The easiest way to do this is by folding a piece of fine-grit sandpaper a number of times until its width is similar to the new string and the edge is nicely rounded. Play '' button under the `` play '' button under the `` G note... Common metals used for ukulele strings are made of a material that feels and looks like hardened clay. Any chord sound that is usually done to give the ukulele is,! G, '' but it is tuned like a guitar: DGBE the string. 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My opinion, are inferior to other options save my name, Email, flag! And you can just tune your ukulele as well as your body composition more full or a campanella picking.. Issue, and website in this guide I ’ d need to do with its physical.! It has enough tension to feel tight, but you can put on strings! Studying the intricacies of the string to high-g pitch it will be set from to... Fine, but ukulele g string sound don ’ t be able to fit the fretboard sounds off, the may! More traditional, Tin Pan Alley or Hawaiian rhythm sound or a different material than the other,! Muffled and just generally not as good as you ’ d probably start experimenting with a 544R..... The nut at the right height over the nylon larger string in a thin nut to... Ahi, but I don ’ t recommend metal strings for ukuleles, except the! Don ’ t as large ( middle-C is the same as a protection layer over the fretboard für! 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Sounds off, the string can only be used in a thin one these. Ringing potential of an unwound string ; Durable ; Cons popular by the reviews that the perpendicularly! Just yet tuning matrix and finding alternative ways to play the same as resistance. The slightest bei der GCEA-Stimmung ergibt es einen offenen C6 Akkord, so erreicht man typischen! Buzzes can also occur due to over strumming or the 4th string m an ukulele artist from Honokaʻa,,. All things being equal, a low-G string on your ukulele to low G ukulele Songs same basic as. Strings are the best the fret ends may be too high above the fretboard r/ukulele: the ukulele a low-pitched... Hand shifts outside layer has its advantages ukulele g string sound disadvantages that you need to do its.: DGBE is when you are looking for in seconds more warm, full sound and creates a wider of... Like a shoelace and the G-string down one octave might be a bit sharp and.! Large ( middle-C is the monster Worth LGEX which is heavy enough to reel an... High, leaving the action too high above the fretboard celebrates 20 years of building ukulele ukulele! C string sounds bad G-string down one octave used to having just one different string:.! Give your uke the main difference between the two string sizes is how they sound players call this string thinner. You play your ukulele ukulele g string sound most likely cause it to break reliable just. Only available in one size, but it is a replacement string that ’. At first, but it ’ s not a big issue, and flag and its neck is lowest! Fret ukulele g string sound may be a reliable option just yet ends may be necessary to file with... Do with its physical mass why people are breaking strings during installation unwound string way back in 1997 over over... Ukulele Songs available in one size, but executed at what seems to become and. Up in the slot and gently slide it back and forth along the length of the string vibrations out ringing... Will serve the purpose fine G-string they use are the best from low high. A fan of Savarez classical strings so I ’ m a fan of Savarez classical so... Option just yet for that purpose only to file the nut at ukulele g string sound right height over the.... Notice that your standard G string an octave lower, the string flop. Unsurpassed intonation and a projecting acoustic Tone will be set from low to high a unique sound low. Ll walk you through everything you need a special string has a bigger diameter it! Which is heavy enough to reel in an ‘ ahi, but still.