Cross tuning GDAD Tuning on Mandolin
Cross tuning GDAD tuning is G3 D4 A4 D5, written GDAD. Lower the 1st course a whole step, from E5 to D5. The other three courses stay at standard pitch.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) | MIDI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4th course | G3 | 196.00 | 55 |
| 3rd course | D4 | 293.66 | 62 |
| 2nd course | A4 | 440.00 | 69 |
| 1st course | D5 | 587.33 | 74 |
Every frequency is computed from the MIDI number, not typed in. Each one links to its own reference page.
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Why guitarists use Cross tuning GDAD tuning
With D sounding on both the 3rd and the 1st course, the instrument gets a built-in drone an octave apart, the same trick old-time fiddlers use with cross tuning. Modal tunes in D sit naturally under the fingers as a result.
Where you will hear it: old-time, Irish traditional, modal tunes in D. That list is deliberately limited to genres and playing traditions. Attributing a tuning to specific songs or players is the kind of claim that needs a source, and this page does not make claims it cannot back up.
Cross tuning GDAD compared with standard GDAE tuning
This is the table that tells you how far to turn each peg, in semitones and in hertz. A negative semitone value means the string goes down.
| String | Standard | Standard (Hz) | Cross tuning GDAD | Cross tuning GDAD (Hz) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th course | G3 | 196.00 | G3 | 196.00 | unchanged |
| 3rd course | D4 | 293.66 | D4 | 293.66 | unchanged |
| 2nd course | A4 | 440.00 | A4 | 440.00 | unchanged |
| 1st course | E5 | 659.26 | D5 | 587.33 | -2 semitones (-71.93 Hz) |
Notice that equal semitone steps are not equal hertz steps: the same whole step is worth about 9 Hz down at the bottom string and far more at the top. That is why tuners report cents, which are proportional, rather than hertz.
How to tune to Cross tuning GDAD, string by string
- Play the 4th course open and adjust until the tuner reads G3 at 196.00 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 3rd course open and adjust until the tuner reads D4 at 293.66 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 2nd course open and adjust until the tuner reads A4 at 440.00 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 1st course open and adjust until the tuner reads D5 at 587.33 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
Retune in two passes. Changing the tension on one string changes the pull on the neck, so the strings you set first will have drifted slightly by the time you finish the last one. That effect is larger the further the tuning sits from standard, so a tuning that moves four or more strings almost always needs a third pass.
Frequently asked questions
What notes is Cross tuning GDAD tuning on a mandolin?
Cross tuning GDAD is G3, D4, A4, D5, written GDAD. Lower the 1st course a whole step, from E5 to D5. The other three courses stay at standard pitch.
What are the frequencies of Cross tuning GDAD tuning?
G3 is 196.00 Hz, D4 is 293.66 Hz, A4 is 440.00 Hz, D5 is 587.33 Hz, all in twelve tone equal temperament with A4 at 440 Hz.
How many strings change compared to standard tuning?
1 of 4. the 1st course goes from E5 to D5 (down 2 semitones).
What is the lowest note in Cross tuning GDAD tuning?
G3 at 196.00 Hz, MIDI note 55. Low notes take longer for a pitch detector to lock onto, so play the string firmly and let it ring before trusting the cents reading.
More tuning references
Frequencies on this page are computed at build time from twelve tone equal temperament with A4 = 440 Hz, using the twelfth root of two (about 1.059463) per semitone. Nothing is typed in by hand. See the full method and sources. Maintained by FusionStudios. Last reviewed: .