Laouto tuner (Greek lute)
The laouto (λαούτο) is the long-necked Greek lute that carries rhythm and harmony in traditional music, next to the violin, clarinet or Cretan lyra. It has eight steel strings in four double courses. On the mainland and the islands it is tuned C–G–D–A: C3+C4, G2+G3, D3+D4 and A3+A3, from the top course to the bottom one.
Open-string notes and frequencies
Greek laouto, mainland and Cretan tunings, from course 4 (top) to course 1. Equal-tempered frequencies at A4 = 440 Hz; the live targets follow the selected A reference.
| String / course | Sounding note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| Mainland · course 4 (C) | C3 + C4 | 130.81 + 261.63 |
| Mainland · course 3 (G) | G2 + G3 | 98.00 + 196.00 |
| Mainland · course 2 (D) | D3 + D4 | 146.83 + 293.66 |
| Mainland · course 1 (A) | A3 | 220.00 |
| Cretan · course 4 (G) | G2 + G3 | 98.00 + 196.00 |
| Cretan · course 3 (D) | D2 + D3 | 73.42 + 146.83 |
| Cretan · course 2 (A) | A2 + A3 | 110.00 + 220.00 |
| Cretan · course 1 (E) | E3 | 164.81 |
Mastro Greek Laouto strings — Thomann (tuning cc′ – Gg – dd′ – aa)
How to use it
- Choose Mainland and island (C G D A) or Cretan lagouto (G D A E) to match your instrument and strings.
- Start with the first course (A3, or E3 on a Cretan laouto): tune one string, then its unison partner.
- On the three octave courses, mute the partner, tune the thick string first, then the thin string one octave higher.
- Tune open strings only, then play all the courses together and recheck the first course.
Help and explanations
The Cretan laouto, called lagouto in Crete, is larger and tuned a fourth lower, G–D–A–E: G2+G3, D2+D3, A2+A3 and E3+E3. Both tunings are re-entrant: the top course sounds a fourth above the course next to it, so the lowest note of the instrument is on the third course, not the fourth.
Why the lowest string is on the third course
On a mainland laouto the thickest string belongs to the G course: G2, about 98 Hz. The C course above it sounds C3 and C4, a fourth higher. Greek laouto string sets print this layout as cc′ – Gg – dd′ – aa, which is exactly what this tuner targets; if your set was made for a different layout, follow its chart. On the Cretan laouto the same shape moves down a fourth, so the lowest note is D2, about 73.42 Hz, on the D course.
The first course is A3 (220 Hz), not A4. Pulling it up to 440 Hz on a long steel scale overloads the string and it will break. Low notes such as G2 and D2 are weak on a phone microphone: hold the phone near the soundhole, pluck firmly and read the note once it settles. If the display shows the right letter one octave up, it is probably hearing the thin partner or a harmonic.
Cretan tuning, movable frets and ensemble pitch
The Cretan octaves here follow the Gg Dd Aa ee notation of the Atlas of Plucked Instruments and Wikipedia, which is the mainland tuning moved down a fourth. We found no Cretan string-set chart that prints them, so check that your strings are made for this register. Cretan laouto scales of about 680 to 750 mm are reported.
Many laouta have tied, movable frets (berdedes) that players shift for the dromoi; others have fixed metal frets. Moving frets does not change the open-string targets, so always tune open. In a band the laouto usually follows the lyra, violin or clarinet: tune the first course to that instrument and change the reference A when needed. Do not confuse the laouto with the Constantinopolitan politiko laouto, the oud or the four-course bouzouki, which is tuned C F A D.
Tips
- Mute the partner string lightly with a fingertip; with both sounding, the tuner can lock onto the octave.
- New steel strings stretch: tune, pull them gently along the neck and tune again a few times.
- When you accompany a lyra or violin, tune your first course to it and the other courses from there.
Frequently asked questions
What is the standard laouto tuning?
On the mainland and islands: C3+C4, G2+G3, D3+D4 and A3+A3, from the top course to the bottom one. The first course (A) is a unison pair; the other three are octave pairs.
How is the Cretan laouto tuned?
A fourth lower: G2+G3, D2+D3, A2+A3 and E3+E3. In Crete the instrument is called lagouto.
Is the laouto tuned like a bouzouki?
No. The laouto is tuned in fifths, C G D A; the four-course bouzouki uses C F A D. A bouzouki tuning on a laouto gives the wrong intervals.
Does the laouto use quarter tones?
Not on the open strings. Players may move tied frets for traditional modes, but the open courses stay fixed notes in fifths and octaves.