Octave mandolin tuner online
An octave mandolin is normally tuned G2 D3 A3 E4, one octave below a mandolin, with two strings in each course. The default here is unison stringing: both strings of each pair share the same pitch.
Open-string notes and frequencies
Octave mandolin tuner: sounding open-string targets, lowest to highest. A4=440 Hz.
| String / course | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| 4 | G2 + G2 | 98.00 + 98.00 |
| 3 | D3 + D3 | 146.83 + 146.83 |
| 2 | A3 + A3 | 220.00 + 220.00 |
| 1 | E4 + E4 | 329.63 + 329.63 |
How to use it
- Choose unison GDAE or the Eastwood octave-strung option.
- Mute one partner of the lowest course and allow the microphone.
- Pick the remaining string and match its octave as well as its letter.
- Tune the partner separately; repeat for the other three courses.
- Sound each completed pair together and check for unwanted beating.
Help and explanations
Some instruments use octave partners instead. The Eastwood option supplied here is G2+G3, D3+D4, A3+A4 and E4+E4, following that maker’s published layout. Inspect the gauges or string packet before selecting it: the thin partner in an octave course needs its own higher target.
Four courses, eight strings, two possible jobs for a pair
A course is a pair played together. In unison GDAE there are only four distinct targets, although eight strings need adjustment. In an octave-strung course the two targets differ by twelve semitones: a low G2 and high G3 should not be made identical. Tap the relevant course button to hear the references and keep the tuner focused while you work.
A unison pair that sounds restless may contain two slightly different frequencies. Silence one side to measure it, then swap. Strumming all four pairs sends several pitches to the microphone and cannot replace that check. Once both members are right, compare the pair by ear. For a GDAD arrangement, the highest course is D4 rather than E4; the Irish bouzouki tuner supplies that related layout. Verify the instrument and string set before moving to another tuning.
Tips
- The low G is G2, not the G3 used by a standard mandolin.
- Keep the pick stroke light enough to hear the note after the attack.
- Check the thin and thick members separately after fitting a new octave-strung set.
Frequently asked questions
What is standard octave mandolin tuning?
G2 D3 A3 E4, from lowest course to highest. In the default preset, each course contains two strings tuned in unison.
Is an octave mandolin the same as an octave mandola?
Octave mandola is a common UK and Irish name for the GDAE instrument. The term mandola alone can also mean the different CGDA instrument.
Are octave mandolin pairs always tuned in unison?
No. Some makers use octave partners; the Eastwood layout here raises the G, D and A partners by an octave and keeps the E pair in unison.
Can I tune it with a mandolin preset?
The letters match, but the standard mandolin targets are an octave higher. Use the octave mandolin targets and check the displayed octave.
Why does a tuned pair still wobble?
Measure each string separately. Two strings can be close to the same target while remaining far enough apart to produce audible beats.
Can I tune an octave mandolin to GDAD?
Some arrangements use GDAD. Check suitable strings and use the related Irish bouzouki reference, whose top course is D4.