Lute tuner online
This lute tuner already knows the historical tunings. The six-course renaissance lute follows the intervals of the viol: two fourths, a major third, two fourths. In G, the courses are G2 C3 F3 A3 D4 G4 from the 6th to the 1st, like a guitar with its 3rd string lowered a semitone and the whole set raised a minor third. The two lowest courses carry an octave string, and the 1st course (the chanterelle) is a single string.
String notes and frequencies
Lute tuning, renaissance in G, 6 courses (11 strings in 6 courses): G2+G3 C3+C4 F3 A3 D4 G4, from 98.00 Hz to 392.00 Hz, with A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| Pair 6 | G2 + G3 | 98.00 + 196.00 |
| Pair 5 | C3 + C4 | 130.81 + 261.63 |
| Pair 4 | F3 | 174.61 |
| Pair 3 | A3 | 220.00 |
| Pair 2 | D4 | 293.66 |
| String 1 | G4 | 392.00 |
How to use it
- Tap Turn on microphone and choose your lute in the Tuning list.
- If you play at baroque pitch, set the Reference A to 415 Hz in the settings.
- Play one course at a time. Auto recognizes the course; pick one to lock the target and press Play to hear its note.
- Follow the arrow (flat: tighten, sharp: loosen) until it stays on in tune. In octave courses, tune the thick string first and then the thin one, muting the partner each time.
- Check everything once more at the end: gut strings move with humidity.
Help and explanations
The baroque lute in D minor tunes its top six courses to a D minor chord, A2 D3 F3 A3 D4 F4, and adds up to seven bass courses below. The 8-course renaissance lute adds F2 and D2 under the 6th course. Everything runs in your browser, with nothing to install.
Which reference A for the lute?
Before the 20th century there was no single standard A, and lutenists today tune anywhere from about 392 to 470 Hz, depending on the instrument and the ensemble. Baroque music is often played at A = 415 Hz, a semitone below 440; the 415 Hz tuner has that reference ready. Playing alone, 440 Hz is fine. Raising a lute strung for 415 up to 440 adds tension, so check with your string maker before changing pitch.
Courses, octaves and the baroque basses
On the renaissance presets, the 6th and 5th courses pair a fundamental with an octave string (G2 with G3, C3 with C4), and so do the extra 7th and 8th courses of the 8-course lute (F2 with F3, D2 with D3). The 4th, 3rd and 2nd courses are unison pairs.
On the 13-course baroque lute, the basses step down G2 F2 E2 D2 C2 B1 A1, each with an octave string; the 6th to 3rd courses are unison pairs and the 2nd and 1st are single. Baroque basses are often retuned to the key of the piece, for example B♭ instead of B: use the chromatic tuner for any course you change.
Tips
- Tune the lute at the temperature of the room you play in: gut and wood react to warmth and humidity.
- In octave courses the tuner shows two notes: tune both, then check the octave by ear.
- Friction pegs slip: press them gently into the pegbox as you turn.
- Want to play lute music on a guitar? Tune to standard with the guitar tuner, then lower the 3rd string from G to F♯ with the chromatic tuner.
Frequently asked questions
How do you tune a renaissance lute?
In G, from the 6th to the 1st course: G2 C3 F3 A3 D4 G4. The 6th and 5th courses have an octave string; the 1st is a single string.
How is an 8-course lute tuned?
It adds two bass courses below the G, F2 and D2. From the 8th to the 1st course: D2 F2 G2 C3 F3 A3 D4 G4.
What is the baroque lute tuning?
D minor: A2 D3 F3 A3 D4 F4 from the 6th to the 1st course, with the basses stepping down G2 F2 E2 D2 C2 B1 A1.
What pitch should I tune my lute to?
It depends on the instrument and the ensemble: 440 Hz works on your own, and baroque groups often use 415 Hz. You can change it under Reference A.
My lute is in A. Can I use this?
A lute in A keeps the same intervals a whole tone higher: A2 D3 G3 B3 E4 A4. The presets here are in G, so tune those notes with the chromatic tuner.
Is there a lute tuner app?
You don't need one: this lute tuner online runs in the browser on a phone or computer and analyzes the sound on your device. Add it to your home screen to open it like an app.