Jun 20, 2007 · The cavaquinho is most commonly tuned D-G-B-D, as opposed to the uke, which is generally tuned, as you know, G-C-E-A. Without swapping around strings to achieve the right gauge in the right place, I don't see how a uke could be tuned as a cavaquinho, even though the two instruments are related; I have heard that the uke developed from the cava.