How to Tune an Oud

Step by step: a tuning routine that holds

1. Step 1

   Use a chromatic tuner

   A clip-on chromatic tuner set to A=440 Hz is the most reliable option — clip it to the bridge or the rim of the soundboard, not the pegbox. Phone apps work too, but they pick up room noise and struggle with the low bass course.

2. Step 2

   Work from the bass course upward

   Tune the lowest course first and move toward the highest. Raising tension course by course from the bottom lets the soundboard settle evenly, so the instrument holds pitch better across the pass.

3. Step 3

   Always arrive at the note from below

   If a string is sharp, drop it clearly below pitch and bring it back up. Friction pegs hold far better when the final movement tightens the string, and the note stops sagging minutes later.

4. Step 4

   Match the pair before moving on

   Each course is two strings in unison. Tune one, then bring its partner to it by ear — listen for the beating between them to slow and disappear. A tuner gets you close; your ear finishes the job.

5. Step 5

   Push the peg in as you turn

   Oud pegs are held by friction alone. Apply gentle inward pressure along the peg's axis while turning, and make your adjustments small — a few degrees moves the pitch a lot.

6. Step 6

   Do a second pass

   Tuning the higher courses pulls the lower ones flat. Go through all six courses again, then play an open-string arpeggio and check the octave between the 6th and 3rd courses.

Common tuning problems

The peg slips as soon as I let go

The peg or its hole is too smooth or slightly worn. Peg compound (or, in a pinch, a little chalk) adds grip; a persistent slip means the peg needs refitting by a luthier.

The peg is stuck and jumps in big steps

Too much friction, common in dry weather. A thin coat of peg compound smooths the turn. Never force a stuck peg — you risk cracking the pegbox.

New strings won't hold pitch

Nylon and nylgut strings stretch for days. Tune, gently pull each string away from the soundboard, retune, and repeat over the first week until it stabilises.

A string buzzes even when in tune

Check the bridge knot, the nut slot, and whether a wound string has unravelled. Buzzing is almost always hardware, not tuning.

The tuner reads a note that is not on my chart

You may be an octave off, or the string may be tuned to a Turkish rather than Arabic pitch. Compare against the tables above before you keep tightening — over-tightening breaks strings and stresses the soundboard.

Frequently asked questions

What is standard oud tuning?

The most common Arabic tuning, low to high, is C2 F2 A2 D3 G3 C4 — often written CFADGC. Each course is a pair of strings tuned in unison, with the low C sometimes a single string.

Can I tune an oud with a guitar tuner?

Yes, as long as the tuner is chromatic rather than locked to guitar presets. A clip-on chromatic tuner works well because it reads vibration rather than room sound.

Why does my oud go out of tune so quickly?

New strings stretch for the first week or two, and friction pegs slip when the peg or peg hole is dry or worn. Stretch new strings by hand, push the peg gently inward as you turn, and let the instrument settle to room temperature before tuning.

How often should I tune my oud?

Every time you play. The oud has eleven or twelve strings under light tension on a thin soundboard, so it responds quickly to changes in humidity and temperature.

What is the difference between Arabic and Turkish oud tuning?

Turkish ouds have a slightly shorter string length and are tuned about a whole tone higher, commonly D A E B F# C#. Arabic tuning centres on C, Turkish on D.

Take it further

Tuning is the first lesson of the beginner course — we cover it hands-on, along with posture, the risha, and the fingerboard.