Shamisen tuner online
Shamisen tuning starts from the 1st string (ichi no ito, the thickest) and sets the 2nd and 3rd strings by their interval from it. This tuner uses the common 4-hon (C) reference with three tunings: honchōshi (C F C), niagari (C G C) and sansagari (C F B♭).
String notes and frequencies
Shamisen tuning, honchōshi (C F C) (3 strings): C3 F3 C4, from 130.81 Hz to 261.63 Hz, with A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| 1st string (ichi) | C3 | 130.81 |
| 2nd string (ni) | F3 | 174.61 |
| 3rd string (san) | C4 | 261.63 |
How to use it
- Press Turn on microphone and allow access.
- Choose the tuning and pick the string you want to tune to fix the target. Play sounds the reference tone. Auto in the settings goes back to automatic detection.
- Play the strings in order from the 1st and turn the peg until the needle sits in the green center.
- Finish by checking again from the 1st string.
Help and explanations
In practice the height is chosen to fit the singer's voice and is named by its hon number (see the chart below).
Honchōshi, niagari and sansagari
Honchōshi puts the 2nd string a perfect fourth above the 1st and the 3rd string an octave above it (C F C). Niagari raises the 2nd string a whole tone from honchōshi to a perfect fifth (C G C) and is common on the tsugaru shamisen. Sansagari lowers the 3rd string a whole tone from honchōshi (C F B♭).
Hon chart
The pitch of the 1st string rises one semitone per number, starting from 1-hon = A: 1-hon A, 2-hon A♯, 3-hon B, 4-hon C, 5-hon C♯, 6-hon D, 7-hon D♯, 8-hon E, 9-hon F, 10-hon F♯, 11-hon G, 12-hon G♯. Tsugaru shamisen players often use 4- to 6-hon (C to D).
Tips
- If the sawari buzz makes the needle wobble, wait for the sound to settle before reading it.
- A very hard bachi stroke makes the note go sharp for a moment. Pluck with your usual strength when tuning.
- New strings stretch a lot. On the day you change them, tune several times.
Frequently asked questions
What are the notes of honchōshi?
At 4-hon it is C F C from the 1st string. The 2nd string is a fourth above the 1st and the 3rd string an octave above it.
What does hon mean?
It names the pitch of the 1st string. 1-hon is A, and each step up raises it a semitone, so 4-hon is C.
How do I tune niagari and sansagari?
Tune honchōshi first. For niagari raise the 2nd string a whole tone; for sansagari lower the 3rd string a whole tone.
How do I tune at a pitch other than 4-hon?
Use the chromatic tuner to set the 1st string to the note in the chart. For honchōshi, put the 2nd string a fourth above and the 3rd an octave above.
Does it work for the Okinawan sanshin?
The sanshin uses different string names and tuning names, so check its own tuning before using this page.