Portuguese guitar tuner: Lisbon and Coimbra
In the Lisbon Portuguese guitar tuning, the main notes from the 6th to the 1st course are D3–A3–B3–E4–A4–B4. The guitarra portuguesa, the guitar of fado, has twelve strings in six double courses: the three lowest courses pair a bass string with its octave, and the other three are unisons. Measure each string, so that the brightness of a pair cannot hide a difference in pitch.
String notes and frequencies
Portuguese guitar tuning, standard Lisbon tuning (D A B E A B) (12 strings in 6 courses): D3+D4 A3+A4 B3+B4 E4 A4 B4, from 146.83 Hz to 493.88 Hz, with A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| Pair 6 | D3 + D4 | 146.83 + 293.66 |
| Pair 5 | A3 + A4 | 220.00 + 440.00 |
| Pair 4 | B3 + B4 | 246.94 + 493.88 |
| Pair 3 | E4 | 329.63 |
| Pair 2 | A4 | 440.00 |
| Pair 1 | B4 | 493.88 |
How to use it
- Choose Lisbon or Coimbra in the Tuning list and tap Turn on microphone.
- On the 6th, 5th and 4th courses, mute one string and measure the other; then swap.
- Check both the note and the octave: the bass string and its thin partner must not end up at the same frequency.
- Tune the two strings of each of the three treble pairs separately, then listen to the whole course.
- Select a course and press Play to hear its target; Auto goes back to recognizing the course you play.
Help and explanations
The Coimbra option drops the whole set a whole tone: C3–G3–A3–D4–G4–A4. Choose the profile before listening to the references. Frequencies are calculated with A4 = 440 Hz.
Lisbon tuning, course by course
6th course D3 + D4 (146.83 + 293.66 Hz); 5th A3 + A4 (220.00 + 440.00 Hz); 4th B3 + B4 (246.94 + 493.88 Hz); 3rd E4 (329.63 Hz); 2nd A4 (440.00 Hz); 1st B4 (493.88 Hz). In the Coimbra tuning every note is a whole tone lower: C3 + C4, G3 + G4, A3 + A4, D4, G4 and A4.
Coimbra: taught names and measured sound
Coimbra methods may keep the Lisbon note names to teach positions, even though the instrument sounds a whole tone lower. This tuner shows the real sound reaching the microphone, so the Coimbra 1st course has A4 as its target even when an exercise calls it B. Sort out that difference before correcting the string: the reading isn't wrong just because it differs from the method's conventional name.
Strings, loops and the fan head
Use a string set made for your model and tuning. If a string drops again right after tuning, check how its loop is fixed and the fan-shaped tuning head (leque). Retuning again and again without checking the hardware can hide the real cause. If you are starting out, ask for help making the loops and finding which screw belongs to each string.
Tips
- On octave pairs, listen to the bass string's reference before trying to bring up the thin string.
- Pluck one string at a time while measuring; save quick strumming for the musical check.
- Older historical tunings follow other schemes: take the notes from your method and use the chromatic tuner.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Lisbon tuning of the Portuguese guitar?
From the 6th to the 1st course: D3, A3, B3, E4, A4 and B4. The three lowest courses also have a string an octave higher.
What is the Portuguese guitar tuning in Coimbra?
All six courses drop a whole tone: C3, G3, A3, D4, G4 and A4, with the same layout of pairs.
Are all the pairs in unison?
No. The 6th, 5th and 4th courses are in octaves; the 3rd, 2nd and 1st are in unison.
Why does the Coimbra method call A a B?
Some methods keep the Lisbon naming convention. This page measures and shows the real pitch, a whole tone lower.
Can I use a 12-string guitar set?
Don't choose a set by string count alone. The Portuguese guitar has its own tuning, scale length, gauges and string fixings.
Why does a string go out of tune quickly?
Besides a new string settling in, check the loops, the fixings and the fan head. A mechanical adjustment may be needed.