Why two strings per note?

Doubled strings give the mandolin its bright shimmering tone.

Can I play single strings?

Yes: but the doubled sound is the mandolin's identity.

Should I use the bridge mute?

Only briefly while isolating one of a pair to tune.

Why does my mandolin not stay in tune?

Floating bridge may have moved; check its position.

Accordeur de Mandoline GDAE

Accord standard mandoline a cordes couplees. Accordez chaque paire pour qu elles sonnent comme une.

Chargement instantane

Allow mic
Tune each pair individually then together
Pluck single string with a pick
Both strings of a pair should sound as one

Comment Utiliser

Tune the Pair

Each pair (G, D, A, E) has two strings: tune each.

Check the Unison

Pluck both strings together; they must match.

Work Through All 8

Tune from G (lowest) to E (highest).

Troubleshooting

Tune both individually with mute
Listen for beating when both ring
Tighten one slightly to eliminate beats

Fonctionnalites

Paired Strings

Tune each of 8 strings into 4 unison pairs.

Needle Display

Detect minute mismatches between paired strings.

Reference Tones

Hear each pair's target pitch.

GDAE Standard

Same intervals as violin: perfect fifths.

Guide Complet

How to Tune a Mandolin Online

Mandolins are tuned GDAE: the same as violins: but with paired strings (called 'courses'). Each pair must be tuned in perfect unison, otherwise the mandolin sounds out of tune even if each individual string is correct. Tune each string of a pair separately, then play both together to verify they ring as one note.

Why Paired Strings Are Tricky

Two strings tuned even slightly differently produce a wavering 'chorus' effect. For most mandolin players this is undesirable: the two should match perfectly. To tune paired strings: tune one to pitch, then mute it lightly while you tune the other to match. Then play both: listen for beating. Adjust until beating stops.

Mandolin String Types

Standard mandolins use steel strings in light to medium gauge. Bluegrass players often prefer slightly heavier strings for fuller tone. Replace strings every 3-6 months for daily players. Electric mandolins use different string types: usually flatwound for plugged-in playing.

Common Mandolin Tuning Problems

Pairs that won't stay in unison: one string of the pair may be stretching while the other has settled. Re-tune both after every 10-15 minutes for the first hour of new strings. Bridge moves: the mandolin bridge is floating (held in place by string tension). If the bridge shifts, intonation is destroyed. Mark the bridge position with pencil dots before changing strings.

Mandolin Variants

Mandolin family includes: mandolin (GDAE), mandola (CGDA, like a viola), octave mandolin (GDAE one octave below standard), mandocello (CGDA one octave below mandola). For mandola or mandocello, use our viola/cello tuners: they share the same tuning.

Compatibilite

Fonctionne sur toutes les principales plateformes et navigateurs

Appareil / SE	Chrome	Firefox	Safari	Edge
Windows 10/11	✅	✅	:	✅
macOS Ventura+	✅	✅	✅	✅
Android 8+	✅	✅	:	✅
iPhone / iPad (iOS 14+)	✅	:	✅	:
Chromebook	✅	:	:	:
Linux (Ubuntu)	✅	✅	:	✅

Questions Frequentes

Yes, GDAE: but with paired strings.

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