How to tune a mandolin: G D A E and paired strings

Standard tuning: G D A E

A mandolin is tuned in fifths: each pair is seven semitones above the one below it. Because the tuning matches the violin, fiddle tunes and fingerings carry straight over. Pairs are numbered from the highest: the 1st pair is E, the 4th is the low G.

Tuning the paired strings

When the two strings of a pair are played together, they should sound like one full note. If one is off by even a few cents, the sound wobbles like a chorus effect — the most common reason a mandolin sounds out of tune.

1. Tune one string of the pair to the tuner. While you do, mute the other lightly with a finger or pick just the one string.
2. Tune the second string the same way, or match it to the first by ear: play both together and turn the peg until the wobble slows down and disappears.
3. Repeat for all four pairs, then check them all once more.

Tuners read unsteadily when both strings ring at once, so play the strings of a pair one at a time. Matching the second string to the first by ear often gives a cleaner result than showing each string to the tuner separately.

With a tuner, step by step

1. A clip-on tuner works well on a mandolin, and because the sound is high a phone microphone picks it up easily too. Chromatic mode always works; tuners with a mandolin mode also expect G D A E.
2. Start with the 4th pair (G). If the needle is on the flat side, tighten the peg; if it's sharp, loosen a little first and then tighten up to the note.
3. Repeat for the 3rd (D), 2nd (A) and 1st (E) pairs, tuning both strings of each pair separately.
4. Finish by checking everything once more: the mandolin's bridge isn't glued down, so everything can shift slightly as the strings come up to tension.

Without a tuner: by ear and with a guitar

The easiest reference is the 2nd pair: A4 is the note of a 440 Hz tuning fork and the A above middle C on a piano. From there, find the other pairs with fifths:

1. Tune the 2nd pair (A) to the reference.
2. Fret the 3rd pair (D) at the 7th fret: that's an A. Match it to the open 2nd pair.
3. Fret the 4th pair (G) at the 7th fret: that's a D. Match it to the open 3rd pair.
4. Fret the 2nd pair (A) at the 7th fret: that's an E. Match the open 1st pair (E) to it.

Mandola, octave mandolin and the rest

The 10- and 12-string mandolin variants of Latin America use different tunings; this guide covers the standard eight-string mandolin.

Why does a mandolin go out of tune?

• The floating bridge. A mandolin's bridge isn't glued; string pressure holds it in place. If it shifts during a string change or a knock, the higher frets play out of tune even when the open strings are right. To check, compare the 12th-fret note with the open string an octave up.
• New strings. Steel mandolin strings settle quickly but need a few retunes on the first day.
• Temperature and humidity. It's a light instrument under high string tension; under stage lights, check again after the first few songs.
• One string of a pair. One string can drift faster than its partner, and a single slipped string makes the whole pair sound out of tune.

Tuning a mandolin with Songlivo

Songlivo's guided tuner supports the mandolin. It's in the free version, shows no ads and needs no internet.

1. Choose Mandolin under Settings → Instrument. The tuner takes the number of pairs and their notes from there.
2. Open Settings → Tools → Tuner, tap Start and allow microphone access.
3. The screen starts with the 4th pair (G): “Play string 4”. Play one string of the pair and turn the peg as it says: “Tighten — flat” or “Loosen — sharp”. Once it holds within ±10 cents for a moment, the screen says “In tune”, the phone vibrates and the tuner moves on to the next pair.
4. For the second string of a pair, tap the same string button on the screen again: that string counts as needing tuning again. Play the second string and adjust it the same way. When all four pairs are done, the screen says “All strings in tune”.

With mandolin selected, the chord diagrams on the song screen are for mandolin too. The tuner uses standard G D A E tuning with A = 440 Hz as the reference; there are no profiles for mandola, octave mandolin or mandocello.