Oud tuner online
This Arabic oud preset uses C2–F2–A2–D3–G3–C4, from the bass course to the treble course. Its eleven-string arrangement has one bass string and five pairs tuned in unison.
String notes and frequencies
oud tuning, arabic (C F A D G C) (11 strings in 6 courses): C2 F2 A2 D3 G3 C4, from 65.41 Hz to 261.63 Hz, with A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| String 6 | C2 | 65.41 |
| Pair 5 | F2 | 87.31 |
| Pair 4 | A2 | 110.00 |
| Pair 3 | D3 | 146.83 |
| Pair 2 | G3 | 196.00 |
| Pair 1 | C4 | 261.63 |
How to use it
- Check the instrument and tuning in the list.
- Set A440 or the reference agreed by your ensemble.
- Allow the microphone and pick one open string in a quiet space.
- Make small adjustments and read the steady part of the sound.
- Check every string again, then compare octave or unison partners.
Help and explanations
Oud tuning varies with tradition, instrument and string set. A Turkish setup should not be treated as this Arabic setup at a casually shifted pitch. Check the maker’s recommended strings and your teacher’s course order before making a large change.
Open-string reference is separate from maqam intonation
Hold the oud in playing position and use the risha to sound a single open string. Silence its paired partner with a fingertip while reading the tuner, then measure the second string. Bring each pair together by listening for the beating to slow. Wooden friction pegs respond differently from geared guitar machine heads; make controlled movements rather than large turns.
The six targets are references for open courses. They do not describe every interval you will play on the fretless fingerboard: maqam intonation includes pitch choices that a twelve-tone note label cannot explain. Use the tuner to establish the string setup, then learn melodic intonation by ear with an appropriate teacher or reference recording. Recheck the bass C2 carefully if the display prefers its octave overtone.
Tips
- Count courses rather than treating eleven strings as eleven different target notes.
- Keep the risha attack gentle enough to leave a stable sustained reading.
- Consult the oud’s setup before substituting another tradition’s tuning.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes for Arabic oud tuning?
This preset is C2 F2 A2 D3 G3 C4, ordered from bass to treble. It is one common Arabic arrangement, not a universal oud tuning.
Why are there eleven strings but six notes?
Five courses contain two unison strings, while the lowest C course has one string. Each course has one target pitch.
Is Turkish oud tuning the same?
No. Turkish instruments and string sets can use different pitch arrangements and tensions; use the setup intended for your oud.
Can this tuner teach quarter tones?
It provides pitch and cents readings, but the open-string preset is not a maqam intonation lesson. Learn those intervals in their musical context.
How do I tune a pair without confusing the microphone?
Mute one string while sounding the other. Once both have been checked, play the course together and listen for beating.