Every standard ukulele is tuned G–C–E–A. The only question is which G. That one string decides whether your ukulele sounds like a bright, shimmering soprano or something closer to a small classical guitar. The chord shapes do not change, so the choice is about sound and repertoire, not about relearning anything.
01 High G: the re-entrant sound
In High G (written gCEA) the fourth string is tuned to the G above middle C. It is higher than the C string beside it, so the strings do not run low to high. This is called re-entrant tuning, and it is why a strummed ukulele sounds close and bright: every chord is packed into one small range. It also makes campanella possible, where a scale rings across different strings like bells. Most sopranos ship in High G, and most beginner tutorials assume it.
02 Low G: five more notes at the bottom
In Low G (written GCEA) the same string drops an octave, to the G below middle C. Now the strings run low to high, like the top four strings of a guitar tuned up a fourth. You gain the notes G, A, B and the sharps and flats between them below middle C: room for bass lines, walking lines and melodies that dip lower. Strummed chords get a fuller bottom. Campanella tricks that rely on the high G no longer ring the same way.
03 What stays the same
Every chord shape. A C chord is still one finger on the third fret of the A string; G is still the little triangle. Chord charts, strumming patterns and most songbooks work in both tunings. What changes is the order of the notes inside the chord, and any tab that uses the fourth string for melody: a note on the open G string is an octave lower in Low G.
04 How to choose
- Soprano, first ukulele, strumming songs: High G. It is what the instrument and the tutorials are built around.
- Concert or tenor, fingerstyle, solo melodies: try Low G. The extra range lets a melody and its bass share one instrument.
- Not sure: start in High G. A Low G string is a cheap swap later, and it is fully reversible.
05 Switching strings
Buy a single Low G string made for your ukulele size (concert and tenor are the usual candidates). Low G strings are thicker, and wound ones are thicker still; if the string will not sit down in the nut slot, or buzzes on the open string, a technician can widen the slot slightly. Do not file the nut yourself: a slot cut too deep buzzes for good. A new string also stretches for a few days, so expect to retune often at first.
06 Low G and High G in Soloist Ukulele
Soloist Ukulele asks which ukulele you have once: High G, Low G, Baritone DGBE or vintage D. The tuner, the verified chord library, the playable songs, imports, playback and grading all follow that choice. The 62-lesson core course teaches High G and Low G together, because the shapes are the same, and one of the original concert studies is written around Low G movement. Listening and grading run on your device.
Related reading
Questions
What is the difference between Low G and High G ukulele?
Only the G string. High G (gCEA) tunes the fourth string to the G above middle C, so it sits higher than the C string next to it: the classic bright, re-entrant ukulele sound. Low G (GCEA) drops that string an octave, so the strings run low to high and you gain five lower notes for bass lines and melodies.
Do chord shapes change with Low G?
No. The fingering is identical in High G and Low G; only the voicing of the chord changes, because the G string now plays the lowest note instead of a high one. Any chord chart for GCEA or gCEA works for both.
Which is better for beginners?
High G is the default on most sopranos and what most beginner songbooks and tutorials assume. Low G is a good choice on a concert or tenor ukulele if you want a fuller sound or plan to play melodies that go below middle C. You can switch later with a new string.
Can I put a Low G string on any ukulele?
Most concert and tenor ukuleles take one; many sopranos are too small to sound good with it. A Low G string is thicker, and a wound one sometimes needs the nut slot widened. If the string sits on top of the slot or buzzes, have a technician adjust it rather than filing it yourself.