Advantages of High-G Ukulele

The high-G ukulele creates the close harmony chords that give the ukulele its distinctive sound. Making it perfect for chordal accompaniment.

It's also great for single note runs. The close tuning lets you move down a scale across the strings rather than down them. This means you can let the notes ring into each other. A style of playing that John King refers to as 'campanella'. I love this style of playing; it creates a very pleasing, harp-like effect.

Advantages of Low-G Ukulele

Having the low-G string widens the ukulele's range considerably. You have a lot more bass notes to play with. If you are playing solo, instrumental pieces this can be a big advantage. You can accompany your melodies with bass notes. It also gives chords a fuller sound.

Pro's Choice

There's no real consensus on tuning amongst the pros either. Both tunings are used. And not necessarily in the way you'd expect. Israel Kamakawiwo'ole used low-G tuning (you can hear his low bass note followed by strums of the higher strings on his version of Over the Rainbow). On the other hand, Jake Shimabukuro uses high-G tuning for his solo flights. Whereas James Hill most often uses the low-A tuning.

My Choice

If I had to choose one of the tunings, I'd go with the high-G. The low-G tuning feels almost like a completely different instrument to me. You have to change your style of playing quite significantly to take full advantage of the low-G tuning. And I just love the re-entrant sound too much.

No related posts.