A chromatic tuner built for mandolin's paired courses. Listens through your mic, shows the nearest note with cents accuracy, and plays reference tones for each course.
Tune one course at a time. The paired strings reinforce each other and give a strong, clean signal.
The A course at 440 Hz is the standard concert pitch reference. Tune it first, then tune the other courses outward in fifths: D below, E above, G below D.
Let both strings in the course ring together. The tuner reads the combined fundamental, which is actually cleaner than a single string because the pair reinforces it.
Flat is to the left, sharp is to the right. Adjust the machine head until the needle centres and turns green. Within two cents is accurate enough for any setting.
Once a course reads in tune, listen for whether the two strings beat against each other. If they do, mute one string and tune the other until the beat disappears. Then check the course together again.
Mandolin is tuned GDAE in perfect fifths, identical to violin. Each course is a pair of strings at the same pitch.
| Course | Note | Frequency (per string) |
|---|---|---|
| G (4th) | G3 | 196.00 Hz × 2 |
| D (3rd) | D4 | 293.66 Hz × 2 |
| A (2nd) | A4 | 440.00 Hz × 2 |
| E (1st) | E5 | 659.25 Hz × 2 |
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Tuning is step one. Here is what players and producers reach for next.
Both strings in a course sound the same pitch, so they reinforce the fundamental and actually give a stronger, cleaner signal than a single string would. The tuner reads this correctly.
Mute one string in the pair and tune the other with the tuner. Then mute that string and tune the second one. When both are right, pluck them together — the beating sound will disappear.
Yes. Mandola is tuned CGDA and mandocello CGDA an octave lower. Use the Chromatic Tuner and tune each course to its target note.
No. The tuner runs entirely in your browser. Mic audio is processed locally and never uploaded or stored.