Shamisen tuner – Niagari (C-G-C)
C-G-C · Alternative
Also known as 二上り
This free online tuner listens through your microphone and shows how close each string of your Shamisen is to Niagari (C-G-C) tuning (C-G-C). 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 Niagari (C-G-C) tuning
Compared with Honchoshi (C-F-C), Niagari (C-G-C) moves 1 string. Every change is upward, the largest by 2 semitones, so the strings pull tighter than in Honchoshi (C-F-C).2 strings stay exactly where they were.
| String | Honchoshi (C-F-C) | Niagari (C-G-C) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | F3 | G3 | up 2 semitones |
Played open, the strings sound C-G-C – from C3 at the bottom to C4 at the top, a span of 1 octave. Step by step across the neck the intervals are a fifth, a fourth, and that is what decides how chord shapes fall under the hand.
Strummed open, the strings spell C5 – root and fifth with no third, so the tuning stays neutral between major and minor.
History
Where the Niagari (C-G-C) tuning comes from
Niagari, “raised second”, raises the second string by a whole step. It is one of the three basic shamisen tunings and gives a brighter sound.
Other Shamisen tunings
Standard
How do I tune my Shamisen to Niagari (C-G-C)?
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-G-C).
Which notes are used in Niagari (C-G-C) tuning?
Niagari (C-G-C) tuning for Shamisen uses the notes C-G-C, 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.