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Mandolin
Mandolin Tuner Online
Mandolin standard tuning notes:
G3D4A4E5
This mandolin tuner is preset for standard GDAE tuning. Tune G3-D4-A4-E5 from the low G course to the high E course, then match each doubled pair.
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Learn Mandolin Standard After You Tune
Use this page as a short practice route: tune to G3-D4-A4-E5, hear how the open strings behave, then move into songs, related tunings, and chord shapes that make Mandolin Standard useful.
Difficulty
Intermediate
Best approached as a intermediate mandolin tuning.
Songs
0
Start with chord shapes and related tunings while the song list grows.
Best for
mandolin tuner online, mandolin tuning notes, checking G-D-A-E / GDAE, standard mandolin tuning
First practice targets
This tuning does not have a song list yet. Start by learning the target notes, then compare nearby tunings and chord shapes.
Open the chord libraryRelated guides
About Standard Mandolin Tuning (GDAE)
Standard mandolin tuning is G-D-A-E from lowest to highest course. With exact octaves, this mandolin tuner targets G3, D4, A4, and E5, the same pitch layout used by violin tuning.
Use this mandolin tuner online as a GDAE note check: 4th course G3, 3rd course D4, 2nd course A4, and 1st course E5.
Most mandolins use four doubled courses, so each note has two strings tuned to the same pitch. Tune one string in the pair first, then match the second string to the tuner and listen for a clean unison without beating.
G-D-A-E mandolin tuning is used for bluegrass, folk, classical, Celtic, old-time, and singer-songwriter parts. The fifths-based layout gives the instrument its bright, compact range and makes scale shapes repeat cleanly across the neck.
Target tuning
G-D-A-E
Standard mandolin tuning from the 4th course to the 1st course.
Exact pitches
G3-D4-A4-E5
The octave-specific notes this online mandolin tuner listens for.
Same as
Violin tuning
Mandolin standard tuning uses the same G-D-A-E pitch layout as violin.
Mandolin Tuning Notes (G3 D4 A4 E5)
From lowest to highest: G3-D4-A4-E5
4th course (G)
196.00 Hz
Low G course, the deepest standard mandolin note and the starting point for G major, C major, and bluegrass chop shapes.
3rd course (D)
293.66 Hz
D course, tuned a perfect fifth above G and a common drone note in folk, old-time, and Celtic melodies.
2nd course (A)
440.00 Hz
A course, tuned to concert A and useful as a reference pitch when checking the rest of the instrument.
1st course (E)
659.25 Hz
High E course, the brightest mandolin course and the one most likely to need small, careful adjustments.
Recommended Strings for Standard Mandolin Tuning
.010-.034 mandolin set
Use a dedicated mandolin string set for G-D-A-E tuning. A common light set runs roughly .010, .014, .024w, and .034w in paired courses, while medium sets feel tighter and louder. Because mandolins use doubled strings, replace and tune each matched pair together.
Common Chords in Standard Mandolin Tuning
G Major
A core bluegrass and folk shape that uses the low G course as a strong root.
D Major
Common in G and D tunes; the open D and A courses help the chord ring clearly.
A Major
Useful for fiddle tunes, singer-songwriter songs, and key-of-D progressions.
Chop Chords
Closed-position G, C, D, A, and E shapes use the fifths tuning for short, percussive rhythm playing.
How to Tune a Mandolin (G3-D4-A4-E5)
1
Select the Mandolin Standard preset so the tuner is locked to G3-D4-A4-E5.
2
Tune the 4th course to G3. Pluck one string in the pair first, then tune the second string until both G strings sound like one clear note.
3
Tune the 3rd course to D4, a perfect fifth above the low G course.
4
Tune the 2nd course to A4. This is concert A and can act as your reference point if you tune by ear later.
5
Tune the 1st course to E5. Make small adjustments because the high E strings are short and sensitive.
6
Strum all courses slowly, then recheck G3-D4-A4-E5. New mandolin strings often stretch, and paired courses can drift apart during the first few minutes.
Mandolin Standard Tuning FAQ
Quick answers for choosing strings, learning songs, and practicing this tuning.
What notes are in standard mandolin tuning?
Standard mandolin tuning is G-D-A-E from lowest to highest course. With exact octaves, the target notes are G3, D4, A4, and E5.
How do I tune a mandolin online?
Select the Mandolin Standard preset, then tune the paired courses to G3, D4, A4, and E5. Tune both strings in each course carefully so the pair rings as one note.
Is mandolin tuning the same as violin tuning?
Yes. Standard mandolin tuning uses the same note names and pitches as violin tuning: G3, D4, A4, and E5 from lowest to highest.
What is GDAE mandolin tuning?
GDAE is the compact way to write standard mandolin tuning. It means the four mandolin courses are tuned G, D, A, and E from low to high.
Do I need special strings for standard mandolin tuning?
Use a mandolin string set made for G-D-A-E tuning. Mandolin strings are built as paired courses, so guitar or ukulele strings are not a good substitute.
What is Mandolin Standard tuning best for?
Mandolin Standard is especially useful for mandolin tuner online, mandolin tuning notes, checking G-D-A-E / GDAE. It changes the way open strings and chord shapes feel, so spend a few minutes listening to the open strings before learning full songs.
Is Mandolin Standard tuning good for beginners?
Mandolin Standard is an intermediate tuning. Beginners can use it, but it helps to learn the target notes first and start with slower songs before trying fast chord changes.
What songs use Mandolin Standard tuning?
Mandolin Standard is used for a range of alternate-tuning arrangements. Start by practicing simple chord shapes and related tunings before moving to full songs.