Free Tenor Guitar Tuner Online: CGDA Standard & GDAE Irish Tuning
Tune your tenor guitar online with our free microphone tuner. Supports standard CGDA, GDAE Irish, and Chicago tuning. Works on mobile and desktop. No app required.
Free Online Tenor Guitar Tuner (Microphone)
Tune your tenor guitar quickly and accurately with our free chromatic tuner. Whether you play standard CGDA, Irish GDAE, or Chicago tuning, simply allow microphone access and tune to the green indicator.
Chromatic Tuner
Tune any instrument with real-time pitch detection
Tips for accurate tuning:
- Play one string at a time, let it ring clearly
- Tune in a quiet environment for best results
- The needle should be centered (green) when in tune
- Flat (♭) means too low, sharp (♯) means too high
How to Use This Tuner
- Enable Microphone: Click "Start" and allow browser microphone permission.
- Select Your Tuning: Reference the frequency charts below for your preferred tuning.
- Play a String: Pluck one string at a time, letting it ring clearly.
- Tune to Center: Adjust tuning pegs until the indicator shows green (0 cents).
Tip
New to Tenor Guitar? The tenor guitar has only 4 strings—making it easier to learn than a 6-string guitar while offering a unique voice in folk, jazz, and traditional Irish music.
Standard Tenor Guitar Tuning (CGDA)
The most common tenor guitar tuning, matching the viola, cello, and mandola. Tuned in perfect fifths:
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (Lowest) | C3 | 130.81 Hz | Perfect 5th to G |
| 3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz | Perfect 5th to D |
| 2 | D4 | 293.66 Hz | Perfect 5th to A |
| 1 (Highest) | A4 | 440.00 Hz | Concert A |
Why CGDA?
- Same as viola: Cellists and violists can pick up tenor guitar instantly
- Wide range: Covers nearly 3 octaves with comfortable fingering
- Jazz heritage: Preferred by jazz and swing players from the 1920s-40s
Irish Tenor Guitar Tuning (GDAE)
Popular with traditional Irish musicians, this tuning matches the mandolin and Irish tenor banjo—tuned one octave below the mandolin:
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) | Interval |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (Lowest) | G2 | 98.00 Hz | Perfect 5th to D |
| 3 | D3 | 146.83 Hz | Perfect 5th to A |
| 2 | A3 | 220.00 Hz | Perfect 5th to E |
| 1 (Highest) | E4 | 329.63 Hz | - |
Why GDAE?
- Mandolin chord shapes: All mandolin fingerings transfer directly
- Irish session friendly: Same tuning as tenor banjo, easy to swap instruments
- Powerful bass: The low G2 provides strong rhythmic foundation
Chicago Tuning (DGBE)
A subset of standard guitar tuning (the top 4 strings), popular with guitarists transitioning to tenor:
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) | Equivalent |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4 (Lowest) | D3 | 146.83 Hz | Guitar 4th string |
| 3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz | Guitar 3rd string |
| 2 | B3 | 246.94 Hz | Guitar 2nd string |
| 1 (Highest) | E4 | 329.63 Hz | Guitar 1st string |
Why Chicago Tuning?
- Guitar chord shapes: Use existing guitar knowledge immediately
- Easy transition: No need to learn new fingerings
- Soprano ukulele compatible: Same notes as re-entrant ukulele (different octave)
Other Tenor Guitar Tunings
| Tuning Name | Notes | Frequencies | Use Case |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open G | D-G-B-D | 147-196-247-294 Hz | Slide guitar, folk |
| Open D | D-A-D-F# | 147-220-294-370 Hz | Blues, bottleneck |
| Baritone | B-E-A-D | 123-165-220-294 Hz | Lower register, jazz |
| Plectrum Banjo | C-G-B-D | 131-196-247-294 Hz | Dixieland jazz |
Tenor Guitar vs Other Instruments
| Instrument | Strings | Standard Tuning | Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tenor Guitar | 4 | CGDA or GDAE | ~3 octaves |
| Standard Guitar | 6 | EADGBE | ~4 octaves |
| Baritone Ukulele | 4 | DGBE | ~2 octaves |
| Tenor Banjo | 4 | CGDA or GDAE | ~3 octaves |
| Mandolin | 8 (4 courses) | GDAE | ~3 octaves |
The tenor guitar bridges the worlds of guitar, mandolin family, and banjo, making it incredibly versatile for folk, jazz, and Celtic music.
How to Tune by Ear (Fifth Method)
If you don't have a tuner, use the perfect fifth interval:
For CGDA Tuning:
- Tune A4 (1st string) to a reference pitch (440 Hz)
- Play 7th fret of D string = A, match to open A string
- Play 7th fret of G string = D, match to open D string
- Play 7th fret of C string = G, match to open G string
For GDAE Tuning:
- Tune E4 (1st string) to a reference (329.63 Hz)
- Play 7th fret of A string = E, match to open E string
- Play 7th fret of D string = A, match to open A string
- Play 7th fret of G string = D, match to open D string
Info
Fifth Interval Fret: On instruments tuned in fifths, the 7th fret of any string equals the pitch of the next higher string (open).
Common Tuning Problems
Strings Won't Hold Pitch
- New strings: Allow 1-2 days for strings to stretch
- Slipping tuners: Check tuning machine screws, tighten if loose
- Temperature changes: Let instrument acclimate before tuning
Tuner Shows Wrong Note Name
- Check your tuning: CGDA and GDAE use different notes!
- Octave confusion: C3 (130 Hz) vs C4 (261 Hz)—verify you're in the right octave
Buzzing or Rattling
- Low action: May need truss rod or saddle adjustment
- Loose hardware: Check tuners, strap buttons, and pickup screws
Choosing Strings for Tenor Guitar
String gauge matters for proper tension and intonation:
| Tuning | Recommended Gauge | String Set |
|---|---|---|
| CGDA | .012-.038 or .013-.042 | "Standard" tenor sets |
| GDAE | .012-.036 or .011-.038 | Lighter gauge for higher tuning |
| Chicago (DGBE) | .011-.030 | Lighter gauge, guitar-like |
Specialty strings from D'Addario, GHS, and Newtone are designed specifically for tenor guitar tensions.
History of the Tenor Guitar
The tenor guitar emerged in the 1920s as a way for tenor banjo players to transition to guitar. With the same CGDA tuning, banjo players could use familiar fingerings on a guitar body.
Notable tenor guitar players:
- Nick Reynolds (Kingston Trio)
- Neko Case
- Ani DiFranco
- Marcy Marxer
The instrument fell out of mainstream popularity by the 1960s but has experienced a revival in folk, Celtic, and indie music.
FAQ
Can I use regular guitar strings on a tenor guitar?
Not directly. Tenor guitars have a shorter scale length (typically 21-23") and only 4 strings. Use dedicated tenor guitar strings or carefully selected individual guitar strings with appropriate gauges.
Is tenor guitar good for beginners?
Yes! Four strings mean fewer notes to learn, and the fifths tuning creates logical patterns across the fretboard. If you play mandolin, violin, viola, or cello, the transition is nearly instant.
What's the difference between tenor guitar and tenor banjo?
The tuning is identical (CGDA), but:
- Tenor guitar: Wooden body, warmer/mellower tone
- Tenor banjo: Drum head, brighter/punchier tone
Many musicians play both!
Can I play regular guitar tabs on tenor guitar?
Not directly. Standard guitar tabs are for 6 strings in EADGBE. However:
- Chicago tuning (DGBE) lets you use guitar chord shapes for the top 4 strings
- GDAE tuning lets you use mandolin tabs
How do I know which tuning to use?
- Jazz/swing: CGDA (original tenor guitar style)
- Irish/Celtic: GDAE (matches tenor banjo and mandolin)
- Transitioning from guitar: Chicago tuning (DGBE)
Related Tools
- Guitar Tuner – 6-string standard tuning
- Mandolin Tuner – GDAE tuning (one octave higher)
- Banjo Tuner – 5-string open G tuning
- Ukulele Tuner – GCEA tuning
- Instrument Tuning Guide – Master reference
- Tone Generator – Create custom reference pitches