Why More Ukulele Players Are Choosing Low G Strings — Top 5 Benefits

low g ukulele strings Mar 27, 2025

If you’ve ever wondered whether switching your ukulele from high G to low G tuning is worth it, you're not alone. There are five strong reasons why Low G tuning might just be the game-changer your playing needs. Whether you're a strummer, soloist, or someone chasing that warm, rich tone, Low G offers versatility and depth you can’t get with traditional high G strings.

Here’s a breakdown of why Low G is better — and why it might be time for you to make the switch.

1. The Sound: Fuller, Warmer, and More Resonant

The most obvious difference? The sound. Low G tuning replaces the high-pitched fourth string with a thicker, lower-pitched string, giving your ukulele a deeper, more resonant tone. This tuning adds warmth and bass that fills out the instrument's natural brightness, making chords and melodies sound fuller and more complete.

In comparison, high G has a brighter, crisper tone — but it can lack that bottom-end warmth many players crave, especially for fingerpicking or solo arrangements.

2. More Style Variety: From Blues to Bossa Nova

Low G opens the door to a wide range of musical styles that just don’t hit the same with high G. Genres like:

Blues (with that deep, walkin' bass line)
Jazz (enhancing harmony and movement)
Country (think Johnny Cash’s classic alternating bass)
Bossa Nova (smooth, rhythmic low-end flavor)

…all benefit greatly from the extra depth that Low G provides. It’s not that you can’t play these styles on high G — it just doesn’t sound as rich or authentic.

3. Soloing Superpower: That Extra String Matters

For ukulele soloists, Low G is a game-changer. It essentially adds an extra note range below your third string, allowing for more complete scales, fuller runs, and dynamic improvisation. With high G, you’re limited — it's like trying to play a melody on three and a half strings.

Low G gives you the full four-string range to explore melodies, basslines, and chord-melody combinations with greater flexibility and expression.

4. Bigger Range, Bigger Possibilities

Low G doesn't just add one note — it expands your entire range. This tuning allows for descending scales, walking basslines, and fingerstyle arrangements that sound more orchestral and well-rounded.

Want to strum and pick with more tonal color? That low fourth string makes it possible.

5. Bass Movement That Brings Chords to Life

One of Low G’s secret weapons is how it enhances bass movement within chord progressions. That subtle note movement beneath your chords creates a harmonic richness that high G just can’t replicate. From simple walkdowns to more complex progressions, that added bass note makes a noticeable difference in the groove and feel of a song.

Bonus: Distortion, Power Chords, and a Little Funk

In true Terry Carter fashion, there’s a surprise sixth reason: distortion. That’s right — plug in, crank up the gain, and Low G gives you the ability to play rock-style power chords with grit and punch. It’s not traditional, but it’s undeniably fun and creative.

Final Thoughts

Switching to Low G isn’t about replacing high G — it’s about expanding your musical toolkit. If you’re a beginner, it might not be the first change you make. But if you’re looking to explore new genres, add depth to your solos, or just hear your uke in a whole new light, Low G is worth every strum.

As Terry puts it, “It just sounds better.” Whether you agree or not, the Low G vs. High G debate is one worth exploring — and one that might just change the way you play forever.