Baritone Tuning
Tune your ukulele to Baritone — D3, G3, B3, E4
About Baritone Tuning
Baritone ukulele tuning (D3-G3-B3-E4) matches the top four strings of a standard guitar. The baritone uke is the largest member of the ukulele family, with a scale length around 19 inches compared to 13 inches for a soprano. This size and tuning produce a warm, mellow tone that bridges the gap between ukulele and guitar.
Baritone tuning is a natural choice for guitar players picking up the ukulele. Every chord shape from guitar translates directly — a G chord on guitar is a G chord on baritone uke, using the same fingering. This makes the baritone the easiest ukulele for guitarists to learn, though the chord names don't match standard GCEA ukulele chord charts.
The baritone ukulele found its niche in Hawaiian music, folk, and singer-songwriter settings where a warm, understated accompaniment is ideal. Its lower pitch sits comfortably below a vocalist's range without competing. Many players find the baritone's tone more versatile than smaller ukuleles — it handles both gentle fingerpicking and confident strumming equally well.
String Notes
Recommended Strings
Baritone ukuleles require their own string sets — standard soprano/concert/tenor strings are too short and too light. Aquila Baritone sets and D'Addario EJ88B are popular choices. The two lower strings (D and G) are typically wound, while the upper two (B and E) are plain nylon or fluorocarbon. Never use guitar strings on a baritone uke — the tension is wrong for the shorter scale length.
How to Tune to Baritone
- 1.Tune the 4th string (closest to the ceiling) to D3 (146.83 Hz). This is the same D as the 4th string on a guitar.
- 2.Tune the 3rd string to G3. Verify by fretting the 4th string at the 5th fret — it should match the open 3rd string.
- 3.Tune the 2nd string to B3. Fret the 3rd string at the 4th fret (not the 5th) — it should match the open 2nd string. This is the same major-third interval as on guitar.
- 4.Tune the 1st string (closest to the floor) to E4. Fret the 2nd string at the 5th fret — it should match the open 1st string.
- 5.Strum all four strings open — you should hear the same open voicing as the top four guitar strings. If you know guitar, try a G or Em shape to verify it sounds right.
Common Chords in Baritone
G Major
Same fingering as guitar G on the top four strings: 3rd fret on 1st string, open 2nd and 3rd, 2nd fret on 4th string.
Em
2nd fret on both the 3rd and 4th strings. A simple, warm minor chord — identical to the guitar shape.
C Major
Same as the guitar C shape on the top four strings. A go-to chord for the baritone ukulele.
D Major
2nd fret on 1st and 3rd strings, 3rd fret on 2nd string, open 4th string. Bright and ringing.