This is a unique 5-string Ukulele tuning named "Viola 10", drawing inspiration from the "Cebolão em Mi (E)" tuning often found on a 10-string Viola. It transforms your ukulele into a resonant instrument capable of delivering rich, full chords right from the open strings.

Verbal Analysis

Strumming all open strings in this "Viola 10" tuning will immediately reward you with a beautiful and full E Major chord. The presence of two B notes and two E notes across the five strings, along with the bright G# on the third string, creates a lush, harmonically rich soundscape. This tuning makes playing in the key of E Major incredibly accessible and intuitive, as the open strings already provide the tonic chord. It's particularly well-suited for traditional folk music, pop, and any genre where a bright, open major sound is desired. Chords in closely related keys such as A Major, B Major (or B7), C# minor, and F# minor will also be within easy reach, often requiring fewer complex fingerings than standard tuning.

Technical Analysis

The tuning for your 5-string Ukulele is set to B2, E3, G#4, B3, E4, when considering the string numbering from lowest pitch (5th string) to highest pitch (1st string). When ordered by absolute pitch from lowest to highest, the open notes are B2, E3, B3, E4, G#4. These notes collectively form an E Major chord (E, G#, B), with a strong fundamental presence across multiple octaves, making it an open major tuning. The specific arrangement of notes, particularly the G#4 on the 3rd string being higher in pitch than both the 1st (E4) and 2nd (B3) strings, indicates a re-entrant tuning style. This characteristic arrangement is common in instruments like ukuleles and some traditional string instruments, contributing to its unique timbre and playability.

How to Tune

To achieve the "Viola 10" tuning, follow these string adjustments. Please be mindful that significant changes (more than 4 semitones up or down from standard tuning) might require a different string gauge for optimal tension and safety. The following instructions are based on the provided string movements:

• String 5 (Lowest Pitch): Tune up 2 semitones to B2.
• String 4: Tune up 2 semitones to E3.
• String 3: Tune up 1 semitones to G#4.
• String 2: Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to B3.
• String 1 (Highest Pitch): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones) to E4.

String 5: B2 (The lowest pitched string, sounding a B note in the 2nd octave.)

String 4: E3 (Sounds an E note in the 3rd octave.)

String 3: G#4 (Sounds a G-sharp note in the 4th octave. This string is pitched higher than both the 1st and 2nd strings.)

String 2: B3 (Sounds a B note in the 3rd octave.)

String 1: E4 (The highest pitched string, sounding an E note in the 4th octave.)