Why Won't My Ukulele Stay in Tune?
IS THIS YOU?
So you’ve purchased a new ukulele and your excited to sit down and begin your ukulele journey. It won’t take long before you are feeling the frustration of an uke that will not stay in tune. Tuck that frustration away and know that this is NORMAL!
WHY IT HAPPENS.
New ukuleles mean new strings that have not been used enough for the strings to have done their thing. New strings need to stretch. This takes time and should not be rushed by pulling on them in an attempt to speed up the process. Regular tuning does the job best and will stretch them more evenly.
Because most ukuleles use nylon or other non-metallic strings, changing climatic conditions may have an additional impact on an ukulele’s tuning. Humidity can cause them to fall out of tune as will a lack of humidity. Temperature, air-conditioning, lack of air conditioning, playing inside or outside can all be factors that will make your little friend fall out of tune. This is all normal, and add to that an all wood instrument and you will need to re-tune fairly frequently in the beginning.
OKAY, WHAT SHOULD I DO?
The answer? Keep a clip-on tuner handy! The clip-on tuners are a great option because they can stay on your ukulele while you play. It will not get in your way and it will go right along with you wherever you go, ready and available when you need it. It is important to remember the names of your strings, starting from the top, G C E A. Commit these to memory and tuning will be a breeze!
Pro Tip: We keep tuners in several rooms. Having them handy will help quite a bit in keeping your uke in tune. In time the tunings will become less frequent as the strings stretch. They will still change with your changing environments but not nearly as much as when you first get your instrument. Snark® makes a fantastic tuner that we’ve found to be dependable after years of personal use. Click here to get yours!
CONCLUSION
So there you have it! Be patient, have your tuner handy and have fun!
Thanks for checking out our blog!
We started The Ukebug in the Spring of 2018 purely as a result of our family’s enjoyment of the ukulele. Quite simply, we’re a small, close knit family with a passion for the ukulele eager to spread our joy with others.
So if you’re particularly keen on laughter, melody, and refreshment – the ukulele is for you.
Click the button below to browse our latest curated assortment of ukuleles!