Bandolim Tuning  

The bandolim is tuned like a violin according to the following order: (from high to low) first pair E, second pair A, third pair D and fourth pair G.

4 ------------------------- G (sol)

3 ------------------------- D (ré)

2 ------------------------- A (lá)

1 ------------------------- E (mí) 


*In the case of a ten-striged bandolim the fifth pair is tuned to C 

  

The Ten Stringed Bandolim

The ten-stringed bandolim has one more pair of strings than the standard one. This gives you a whole new variety of harmonic and melodic possibilities.

Dudu Maia also presents a “B-flat ten stringed bandolim” that has a unique sound and even greater possibilities. It's tuned a whole step lower than the traditional instrument.

Dudu uses the seventh string of a 7-stringed guitar (C), made of nylon for the fifth pair of strings. He found out that nylon guitar strings work very well as lower strings on a bandolim, especially for recording.