How to Tune an Oud: Arabic & Turkish Tunings

The safest way to tune an oud is to identify its stringing and intended tuning before turning a peg. Most modern ouds have eleven strings arranged as five double courses plus one single bass string, although some have six paired courses. Turkish and Arabic ouds often use different pitch systems, and the strings fitted to one system may not tolerate the other.

This guide gives the notes from the lowest-pitched course to the highest-pitched course. That order avoids the common confusion caused by phrases such as “top string” and “bottom string,” which can refer either to pitch or physical position. Use a chromatic tuner, pluck one course at a time, and approach every target note gradually from below.

What is the standard oud tuning?

There is no single tuning shared by every oud tradition. Two practical starting points are Arabic tuning C2–F2–A2–D3–G3–C4 and Turkish tuning D2–A2–B2–E3–A3–D4, written here from the lowest course to the highest.

System	Low to high	Common use
Arabic oud	C2–F2–A2–D3–G3–C4	Widely used modern Arabic six-course setup
Turkish oud	D2–A2–B2–E3–A3–D4	Common modern Turkish six-course setup
Five-course Arabic	F2–A2–D3–G3–C4	Traditional setup without the lowest C course

These are common reference tunings, not universal rules. Iraqi, Syrian, Egyptian, Turkish and individual concert tunings can differ. Before changing systems, ask the maker or seller which tuning and string gauge the instrument was built for.

A note about octave numbers

The letter alone is not enough: C2 and C3 are an octave apart. Many tuner apps display octave numbers, but some do not. If the app shows only a note name, compare the sound with a reliable reference tone and make sure you are not pulling a bass course toward the same letter in the wrong octave.

How to identify the courses and pegs

An oud course is one playing unit. Most courses contain two strings tuned in unison; the lowest bass course is commonly a single string. Starting with the thickest, lowest-sounding course, count toward the thinnest, highest-sounding course.

Do not assume the peg closest to a string controls it. The strings cross inside the pegbox, and peg layouts vary. Trace each string visually from the bridge, across the nut and into its peg before tuning. Turning the wrong peg under tension is one of the quickest ways to break a neighboring string.

How to tune an oud step by step

Tune in a quiet room with the oud in playing position. A clip-on tuner can struggle with the instrument’s complex overtones, so a phone or pedal tuner that listens through a microphone may give a steadier reading.

1. Confirm the intended tuning. Check the oud type, current string set and maker’s recommendation.
2. Set the tuner to chromatic mode. Use A4 = 440 Hz unless your ensemble or teacher specifies another reference pitch.
3. Begin with the lowest course. Pluck gently near the soundboard and let the tuner settle.
4. Approach the note from below. If the string is sharp, loosen it below the target, then tighten slowly. This helps the peg seat securely.
5. Tune the two strings of a course separately. Mute one with a fingertip, tune the other, then match them until beating disappears.
6. Continue toward the highest course. Use smaller peg movements as the strings become thinner.
7. Repeat the entire sequence. Tension changes across the bridge and soundboard, so earlier courses usually need a second pass.

How much should you turn the peg?

Very little. Oud pegs are friction pegs, not geared guitar tuners. Support the pegbox, turn with controlled pressure, and press the peg inward only enough to make it hold. Forcing it deeply can damage the pegbox; leaving it too loose makes it slip.

How to tune paired strings accurately

The two strings in a course should produce the same pitch. When they are slightly apart, you hear a pulse or “beating.” The pulse slows as the pitches converge and disappears when the pair is closely matched.

A tuner gets you near the target, but your ear is often better for the final unison. Pluck both strings together after tuning them individually. If the sound shimmers or wavers, isolate each string again and make a tiny correction.

Turkish and Arabic oud tuning: can you switch?

Sometimes, but not merely by tightening the existing strings. Turkish tuning generally places the instrument at a higher overall pitch than a comparable Arabic setup. Raising an Arabic string set to Turkish targets may create excessive tension, while tuning a Turkish set far lower can leave it loose and dull.

Use a string set made for the oud’s scale length and intended pitch. Scale length, soundboard construction, bridge, string material and gauge all affect safe tension. If you want to change systems, consult an oud specialist and replace the full set rather than experimenting course by course.

Why do oud pegs slip or stick?

Wooden friction pegs react to humidity and depend on clean, well-matched contact with the pegbox. A slipping peg may need slightly more inward pressure while turning; a peg that jerks or refuses to move may need professional fitting.

• Wind the string neatly so it does not overlap itself or rub against another peg.
• Keep the final winding positioned so it gently encourages the peg inward.
• Do not apply oil, grease or household products to the peg.
• Use peg compound sparingly only when appropriate, or ask a luthier to correct poor contact.

Persistent slipping, clicking or visible pegbox cracks require repair. Extra force is not a repair.

Why does an oud go out of tune?

Fresh strings stretch, wooden parts respond to temperature and humidity, and friction pegs can settle during playing. A new string set may require frequent tuning for several days. Gently lifting and settling each string after installation can help, but never pull sharply away from the soundboard.

Large or sudden instability can indicate poor winding, a badly fitted peg, a moving bridge on floating-bridge models, an unsuitable string set or a damaged instrument. Diagnose the cause before repeatedly increasing tension.

How often should you tune the oud?

Check tuning every time you play and again after the instrument has warmed to the room. During a rehearsal or performance, recheck whenever the temperature changes or a course begins to beat. Tuning is routine maintenance, not a sign that the oud is defective.

Strings do not need automatic replacement every six months. Replace them when tone becomes dull, intonation becomes unstable, windings fray, corrosion appears or the set no longer tunes evenly. Playing frequency, hand chemistry, climate and string material all affect service life.

Common oud tuning mistakes

Most broken strings and unstable tuning come from a few avoidable errors. Slow down whenever a note shown by the tuner does not behave as expected.

• Using the wrong octave: the tuner shows the correct letter, but the string is being pulled an octave too high.
• Turning the wrong peg: always trace the string through the pegbox first.
• Changing tuning without changing strings: an unsuitable gauge can create dangerous or unplayable tension.
• Tuning only one string in a pair: both strings must be checked separately and together.
• Making large, abrupt turns: thin courses need minute adjustments.
• Ignoring room conditions: let a cold instrument acclimatize before final tuning.

Do you need a special oud tuner?

No. A reliable chromatic tuner or tuner app is sufficient, provided it recognizes the correct octave and responds consistently. A clip-on tuner is convenient in noisy rooms, while a microphone-based app often reads the oud’s low courses more clearly in a quiet space.

For beginners, a tuner with a large cents display is helpful. Aim for the center, but do not chase every one-cent fluctuation: the attack of a plucked string starts slightly sharp and settles as the note decays.

Care after tuning

Keep the oud away from direct sun, heaters, hot cars and rapid humidity changes. Wipe the strings and soundboard gently after playing, loosen the risha from your hand, and store the instrument in a supportive case. There is normally no need to loosen healthy strings after every session.

If the oud will be shipped, repaired or stored for an unusually long period, ask the maker how much tension to reduce. Completely removing tension can also affect the bridge and setup, especially on certain designs.

Explore Sala Muzik’s oud collection, read the complete oud guide, or compare Arabic and Turkish ouds before choosing an instrument or string set.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most common Arabic oud tuning?

A widely used modern six-course tuning is C2–F2–A2–D3–G3–C4 from low to high. Regional and personal alternatives exist, so confirm the intended setup of the instrument and strings.

What is the most common Turkish oud tuning?

A common modern setup is D2–A2–B2–E3–A3–D4 from low to high. Some musicians use other concert or historical tunings.

Should both strings in a course have the same note?

Usually yes. The two strings of each paired course are tuned in unison. The lowest bass course is often a single string.

Can guitar strings be used on an oud?

No. Guitar sets are not designed for an oud’s scale, bridge and tension requirements. Use strings specified for the oud type and tuning.

What should I do if a string keeps breaking?

Stop replacing and tightening it until you inspect the nut, bridge and peg-hole contact points for sharp edges. Also verify the string gauge, target note and octave. Repeated breakage at the same location calls for a luthier.

Should I tune an oud to 440 Hz?

A4 = 440 Hz is a practical default for solo practice and many ensembles. Your teacher or group may use another reference, so follow the musical setting when playing with others.