Thai phin tuner online
The phin is the fretted, pick-played lute of Isan (northeast Thailand) and Laos, heard in mor lam, lam sing, pong lang bands and luk thung. Its most common tuning is Mi–La–Mi, which in Western letters is E3 A3 E4: string 3 (the top string, used as a drone) is E3, string 2 (middle) is A3 and string 1 (the bottom string) is E4. This matches lai yai, the A-minor mode, with A and E drones.
Open-string notes and frequencies (Mi–La–Mi)
Three-string Isan phin, Mi–La–Mi, from string 3 (top) to string 1 (bottom). Equal-tempered frequencies at A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| String 3 (top, drone) | E3 | 164.81 |
| String 2 (middle) | A3 | 220.00 |
| String 1 (bottom) | E4 | 329.63 |
Hamdan et al. (2025), BioResources 20(4): Phin lute of the Isan region
How to use it
- Tap Turn on microphone, allow access and keep Mi–La–Mi selected unless your teacher uses another lai.
- Pick one open string at a time and rest your hand on the others: open phin strings ring in sympathy like drones and confuse the microphone.
- Follow the needle: an up arrow (↑) means tighten the tuning key, a down arrow (↓) means loosen it, until the string sits in the green zone.
- Check by ear: in Mi–La–Mi, string 2 is a fourth above string 3, and string 1 is exactly an octave above string 3.
Help and explanations
The tuner listens through your browser microphone, recognises which string you pick and shows note, octave and cents. Strings 3 and 1 are both E, an octave apart, so watch the octave number. Besides the standard setup, you can select three alternatives documented in research based on interviews with phin masters: lai yai with the top string in unison at E4, lai noi (D4 A3 D4) and lai se (E4 B3 E4).
Mi–La–Mi and the lai of the phin
Thai solfège maps do re mi fa sol la ti to C D E F G A B, so Mi–La–Mi is E–A–E. A Thai academic study writes the three-string tuning literally as mi (E), la (A), mi (E), numbering the bottom string as string 1, the middle one as string 2 and the top one as string 3. A 2025 measurement of real instruments found the top string at E3 (164.81 Hz), an octave below string 1; some phin masters instead tune it to E4 for lai yai, in unison with string 1.
The drones follow the khaen mouth organ: lai yai (A minor) uses A and E, while lai noi (D minor) uses A and D, which is why D4 A3 D4 exists. Lai se (E minor) uses E4 B3 E4. These setups are documented, but they are not the standard. For anything else your band uses, switch to the chromatic tuner.
Matching the khaen, the band or A440
Isan music today mostly uses Western tuning. One master's phin measured in a study sat only a few cents from standard pitch (A3 +3.3 cents, E4 −8.7 cents at A4 = 440 Hz). With keyboard or electric bass, stay at 440 Hz. If the khaen in your group is higher or lower, change A4 in Settings or move all three strings by the same amount so the intervals stay intact.
The bridge is loose, held in place only by string pressure. If it shifts, fretted notes go out of tune even when the open strings are right. Frets are not fully chromatic: in the first octave they usually sit at guitar positions 1, 2, 3, 5, 7, 8, 10 and 12, and instruments carry anything from about 9 to 24 frets. An unplugged electric phin is quiet, so hold the phone close to the strings or tune from the amplifier.
Tips
- Both E strings are an octave apart: string 3 is E3 (164.81 Hz) and string 1 is E4 (329.63 Hz). Never pull string 1 up to E5; the steel string can snap.
- Don't use guitar mode: the guitar's low E is E2, an octave below the phin's string 3, so the string would end up slack.
- New steel strings stretch. Pick with medium force, read the note after the attack and retune several times.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of a 3-string phin?
The most common tuning is Mi–La–Mi: string 3 (top) E3 = 164.81 Hz, string 2 (middle) A3 = 220 Hz and string 1 (bottom) E4 = 329.63 Hz at A4 = 440 Hz.
Should the top string be E3 or E4?
Both are documented. Measured instruments and the Atlas of Plucked Instruments use E3, an octave below string 1. Some masters tune it to E4, in unison with string 1, for lai yai; choose Lai yai, unison top for that.
How do I tune a phin for lai noi?
The documented setup is D4 A3 D4 (Re–La–Re), giving A and D drones for D minor. Select Lai noi in the tuning menu.
Does a phin have to be tuned to 440 Hz?
No. Use 440 Hz with keyboards and electric bass. With a khaen or a singer, follow their pitch and shift all three strings equally.