Mandolin tuner – Cross G (GDGB)
G-G-D-D-G-G-B-B · Open
Press “Start tuner” – the browser will ask for microphone access. Sound is analysed on this device and never uploaded.
This free online tuner listens through your microphone and shows how close each string of your Mandolin is to Cross G (GDGB) tuning (G-G-D-D-G-G-B-B). 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 Cross G (GDGB) tuning
Compared with Standard (GDAE), Cross G (GDGB) moves 4 strings. Every change is downward, the largest by 5 semitones, so the instrument sits at lower tension than in Standard (GDAE).4 strings stay exactly where they were.
| String | Standard (GDAE) | Cross G (GDGB) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5 | A4 | G4 | down 2 semitones |
| 6 | A4 | G4 | down 2 semitones |
| 7 | E5 | B4 | down 5 semitones |
| 8 | E5 | B4 | down 5 semitones |
Played open, the strings sound G-G-D-D-G-G-B-B – from G3 at the bottom to B4 at the top, a span of 1 octave and 4 semitones.
Strummed open, with nothing fretted, the strings spell G. That is what makes a tuning like this useful for slide playing and drones – a full chord is one straight barre away at any fret. See G shapes in this tuning →
Cross G – GDGB – retunes the top course to B so the open strings spell a G major chord. It is an old-time tuning, borrowed from the way fiddlers cross-tune for the same tunes.
With the chord already sounding, drones and double stops come for free, and the mandolin gets some of the ringing quality a cross-tuned fiddle has.
History
Where the Cross G (GDGB) tuning comes from
G-D-G-B is a cross tuning borrowed from old-time fiddling, making an open G chord. It is used for certain traditional tunes.
Other Mandolin tunings
Standard
Chords for this tuning
How do I tune my Mandolin to Cross G (GDGB)?
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 (G-G-D-D-G-G-B-B).
Which notes are used in Cross G (GDGB) tuning?
Cross G (GDGB) tuning for Mandolin uses the notes G-G-D-D-G-G-B-B, 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.