Guqin tuner – Manjiao (C-D-E-G-A-C-D)
C-D-E-G-A-C-D · Alternative
Also known as 慢角调, Slackened 3rd
This free online tuner listens through your microphone and shows how close each string of your Guqin is to Manjiao (C-D-E-G-A-C-D) tuning (C-D-E-G-A-C-D). Play a string, watch the needle, and turn the peg until the meter glows green. If you prefer tuning by ear, tap any string card to hear its reference tone.
About Manjiao (C-D-E-G-A-C-D) tuning
Compared with Zhengdiao (C-D-F-G-A-C-D), Manjiao (C-D-E-G-A-C-D) moves 1 string. Every change is downward, the largest by 1 semitone, so the instrument sits at lower tension than in Zhengdiao (C-D-F-G-A-C-D).6 strings stay exactly where they were.
| String | Zhengdiao (C-D-F-G-A-C-D) | Manjiao (C-D-E-G-A-C-D) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | F2 | E2 | down 1 semitone |
Played open, the strings sound C-D-E-G-A-C-D – from C2 at the bottom to D3 at the top, a span of 1 octave and 2 semitones. Step by step across the neck the intervals are a whole tone, a whole tone, a minor third, a whole tone, a minor third, a whole tone, and that is what decides how chord shapes fall under the hand.
History
Where the Manjiao (C-D-E-G-A-C-D) tuning comes from
Manjiao (“slackened third”) lowers the third string by a semitone. It is one of the many mode tunings (diao) used in guqin music, recorded in traditional handbooks.
Other Guqin tunings
Alternative
How do I tune my Guqin to Manjiao (C-D-E-G-A-C-D)?
Allow microphone access, pluck a string, and the tuner will detect it automatically. The needle shows whether the string is flat or sharp – adjust until the reading is within ±5 cents (C-D-E-G-A-C-D).
Which notes are used in Manjiao (C-D-E-G-A-C-D) tuning?
Manjiao (C-D-E-G-A-C-D) tuning for Guqin uses the notes C-D-E-G-A-C-D, listed from the lowest string to the highest.
Can I tune without a microphone?
Yes. Every string card plays a reference tone – tap it and match your string to the sound by ear.