How to tune a mandolin by ear
A standard mandolin has eight strings arranged in four pairs, called courses. The two strings in each course are normally tuned to the same pitch.
Standard mandolin tuning is:
G3 – D4 – A4 – E5
These are the same four notes as a violin, from lowest to highest.
In the TuneStrings tuner above, each pair is shown as one course. Play the reference tone, then tune both strings in that course to the same pitch before moving on to the next pair.
Standard mandolin tuning
| Course | Strings | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th course | G / G | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 3rd course | D / D | D4 | 293.66 Hz |
| 2nd course | A / A | A4 | 440.00 Hz |
| 1st course | E / E | E5 | 659.25 Hz |
These frequencies assume the standard reference pitch A4 = 440 Hz.
Why does a mandolin have eight strings but only four notes?
The strings are arranged in four doubled courses. Both strings in each course play the same note:
G/G – D/D – A/A – E/E
The doubled strings are a major part of the mandolin sound. When both strings are tuned closely together, the pair produces a bright, full tone with more presence than a single string.
This also means that tuning a mandolin involves two jobs: getting each course to the correct reference pitch and getting the two strings within that course to agree with each other.
Tune one string first, then match the pair
A practical way to tune each course is to start with one of the two strings.
Play the TuneStrings reference tone and bring the first string to pitch. Once it is accurate, use that tuned string together with the reference tone to bring the second string into agreement.
When the two strings of a course are slightly out of tune with each other, you will usually hear a noticeable shimmer or beating.
As they get closer, that movement slows down and the pair begins to sound like one strong note instead of two competing pitches.
Why is mandolin tuning the same as violin tuning?
The standard mandolin tuning G3–D4–A4–E5 is identical to the tuning of a violin.
Both instruments are tuned in perfect fifths, which means each course is a fifth above the one below it.
The instruments are played very differently, of course, but this shared tuning is one reason violin and fiddle melodies often transfer naturally to mandolin.
Check both strings in every course
It is tempting to hear that a G course is roughly correct and move on, but the two strings need to be checked individually.
If one string is correct and its partner is only slightly sharp or flat, the course can sound rough even though the average pitch seems right.
For the cleanest result, mute or isolate one string if necessary, tune it accurately, then tune the second string to match.
Why mandolins can take a little longer to tune
With eight strings under tension, changing one string can slightly influence the others.
If the instrument was significantly out of tune when you started, the first course you tuned may have moved by the time you finish the fourth.
For that reason, it is worth making a second pass through all four courses after the first tuning.
Cross tuning on mandolin
Just like the fiddle, a mandolin can also be played in alternative tunings.
One useful example is AEAE:
A3 – E4 – A4 – E5
This changes the two lower courses and creates pairs of A and E notes across different octaves. The result is a very resonant tuning that works especially well for some traditional fiddle tunes and open-string playing.
You can select Cross A / AEAE directly in the TuneStrings mandolin tuner.
Use a light pick attack when tuning
A mandolin string can sound slightly different at the instant it is picked than it does a moment later.
Use a moderate and consistent pick attack and listen after the initial attack has settled.
This becomes especially important on the high E course, where small changes in tuning are easy to hear.
New mandolin strings need time to settle
Fresh strings often stretch during their first playing sessions. With eight strings, that can mean quite a bit of retuning after a string change.
This is normal. Tune the instrument, play for a while and check all four courses again.
Older strings can create the opposite problem: they may become dull, unstable or difficult to intonate cleanly.
A few practical mandolin tuning tips
Tune each course one string at a time rather than trying to judge both strings at once.
Near the target pitch, make very small movements with the tuning machine. The short scale length and relatively high string tension can make the pitch change quickly.
Whenever practical, approach the final pitch from slightly below rather than tuning down from above.
After all four courses are tuned, play some open fifths or a familiar chord. Small differences between paired strings often become obvious when the whole instrument rings together.
Frequently asked questions
What is standard mandolin tuning?
A standard mandolin is tuned G3–D4–A4–E5, from the lowest course to the highest.
Does a mandolin have four strings or eight strings?
A standard mandolin has eight physical strings arranged in four pairs, or courses. Each pair is normally tuned in unison.
Why are mandolin strings doubled?
The doubled courses give the instrument more volume, brightness and its characteristic shimmering sound.
Is a mandolin tuned the same as a violin?
Yes. Both use G3–D4–A4–E5 standard tuning and are tuned in perfect fifths.
Do both strings in a mandolin course use the same note?
Yes. In standard mandolin tuning, both strings of each course are tuned to exactly the same pitch.
What is AEAE mandolin tuning?
AEAE is an alternative tuning using A3–E4–A4–E5. It is related to cross tuning used in traditional fiddle music.
Why does my mandolin go out of tune after changing strings?
New strings stretch as they settle. Because a mandolin has eight strings, changes in overall tension can also cause strings you already tuned to move slightly.