Standard tuning
# Standard tuning

In music, standard tuning refers to the typical tuning of a string instrument. This notion is contrary to that of scordatura, i.e. an alternate tuning designated to modify either the timbre or technical capabilities of the desired instrument.

## Violin family

The most popular bowed strings used nowadays belong to the violin family; together with their respective standard tunings, they are:

* Violin – $G_3$ $D_4$ $A_4$ $E_5$ (ascending perfect fifths, starting from G below middle C)
* Viola – $C_3$ $G_3$ $D_4$ $A_4$ (a perfect fifth below a violin's standard tuning)
* Cello – $C_2$ $G_2$ $D_3$ $A_3$ (an octave lower than the viola)
* Double bass – $E_1$ $A_1$ $D_2$ $G_2$ (ascending perfect fourths, where the highest sounding open string coincides with the G on a cello).
* Double bass with a low C extension – $C_1$ $E_1$ $A_1$ $D_2$ $G_2$ (the same, except for low C, which is a major third below the low E on a standard 4-string double bass)
* 5-stringed double bass – $B_0$ $E_1$ $A_1$ $D_2$ $G_2$ (a low B is added, so the tuning remains in perfect fourths)

## Viol family

The double bass is properly the contrabass member of the viol family. Its smaller members are tuned in ascending fourths, with a major third in the middle, as follows:

* Treble viol – $D_3$ $G_3$ $C_4$ $E_4$ $A_4$ $D_5$ (ascending perfect fourths with the exception of a major third between strings 3 and 4)
* Tenor viol – $G_2$ $C_3$ $F_3$ $A_3$ $D_4$ $G_4$ (a perfect fifth below the treble viol)
* Bass viol – $D_2$ $G_2$ $C_3$ $E_3$ $A_3$ $D_4$ (an octave lower than the treble viol)
* 7-stringed bass viol – $A_1$ $D_2$ $G_2$ $C_3$ $E_3$ $A_3$ $D_4$ (an extra low A is added)

A more recent family is the violin octet, which also features a standardized tuning system (see page).

## Guitar family

Guitars and bass guitars have more standard tunings, depending on the number of strings an instrument has.

* six-string guitar (the most common configuration) – $E_2$ $A_2$ $D_3$ $G_3$ $B_3$ $E_4$ (ascending perfect fourths, with an exception between G and B, which is a major third). Low E falls a major third above the C on a standard-tuned cello.
* Renaissance lute – $E_2$ $A_2$ $D_3$ $F♯_3$ $B_3$ $E_4$ (used by classical guitarists for certain pieces; identical to standard guitar tuning, except for the F♯, lowered one semitone from the standard G string, making a perfect fourth between 2nd and 3rd rather than 3rd and 4th strings)
* seven-string guitar – $B_1$ $E_2$ $A_2$ $D_3$ $G_3$ $B_3$ $E_4$ (identical, except for the low B, which is a perfect fourth below the low E on a 6-stringed guitar)
* four-string bass guitar (most popular) – $E_1$ $A_1$ $D_2$ $G_2$ (its standard tuning coincides with that of a 4-stringed double bass)
* five-string bass – $B_0$ $E_1$ $A_1$ $D_2$ $G_2$ (identical to 4-stringed bass with the addition of a low B string a perfect fourth below the E).
* six-string bass – $B_0$ $E_1$ $A_1$ $D_2$ $G_2$ $C_3$ (identical to 5-stringed bass with the addition of a high C string a perfect fourth above the G).
* Baritone (older use) / 6 string bass (older use) such as the Fender Bass VI – $E_1$ $A_1$ $D_2$ $G_2$ $B_2$ $E_3$ (Similar to a standard guitar but an octave lower, and often played like a standard guitar rather than a bass guitar.)
* Baritone guitar (contemporary versions) – $B_1$ $E_2$ $A_2$ $D_3$ $F♯_3$ $B_3$ a fourth below standard tuning, although $A_1$ to $A_3;$ a fifth lower is also used.
* 12-string guitar $E_3$ $E_2$ $A_3$ $A_2$ $D_4$ $D_3$ $G_4$ $G_3$ $B_3$ $B_3$ $E_4$ $E_4$ in six two-string courses.

## Other

Other plucked string instruments and their respective standard tunings include:

* Banjo (Five-stringed): $G_4$ $D_3$ $G_3$ $B_3$ $D_4$ for bluegrass; old time and folk banjoists use this and a wide variety of other tunings
* Mandola: $C_3$ $G_3$ $D_4$ $A_4$ (same as standard viola tuning)
* Mandolin: $G_3$ $D_4$ $A_4$ $E_5$ (same as standard violin tuning)
* Pipa: $A_2$ $D_3$ $E_3$ $A_3$ (most common and used in Chinese orchestra; several other tunings exist)
* Balalaika (Prima): $E_4$ $E_4$ $A_5$ (the two identical Es are on strings of different gauges)
* Requinto Jarocho: $A_3$ $D_3$ $G_3$ $C_4$ (G string tuned the same as a guitar's)
* Ukulele (Soprano): $G_4$ $C_4$ $E_4$ $A_4$ $(C_6)$ and $A_4$ $D_4$ $F♯_4$ $B_4$
