# 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, placing the major third between 3rd and 4th rather than 2nd and 3rd 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$_4$ (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$_4$