Irish Bouzouki tuning
Irish Bouzouki GDAE (octave mandolin) Tuning
Tuned an octave below the mandolin, so mandolin fingerings carry over.
String pitches & frequencies
| String | Note | Frequency | MIDI | Interval to next | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4 | G2 | 98.00 Hz | 43 | perfect fifth | |
| 3 | D3 | 146.83 Hz | 50 | perfect fifth | |
| 2 | A3 | 220.00 Hz | 57 | perfect fifth | |
| 1 | E4 | 329.63 Hz | 64 | — |
Courses listed from lowest to highest. Frequencies at A4 = 440 Hz, equal temperament.
Fretboard note map
| String | Open | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E |
| 2 | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A |
| 3 | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D |
| 4 | G | G♯ | A | A♯ | B | C | C♯ | D | D♯ | E | F | F♯ | G |
How to tune to GDAE (octave mandolin)
- Open the chromatic tuner (or play each reference tone above).
- Start from the lowest string and tune each one to G2, D3, A3, E4.
- Tune up to each pitch: if you overshoot, drop below and come back up so the string settles.
- Check every string once more — changing the tension of one string slightly pulls the others.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of GDAE (octave mandolin) tuning?
G2 (98.00 Hz), D3 (146.83 Hz), A3 (220.00 Hz), E4 (329.63 Hz).
How do I tune a irish bouzouki to GDAE (octave mandolin)?
Tune each string to the pitches above with a chromatic tuner, starting from the lowest string; then re-check, because changing one string's tension slightly detunes the others.