What should I use to tune?
A digital tuner or app, an “A-440” tuning fork, a pitch pipe or a piano are all great tuning tools. Digital tuners can be especially helpful for beginners. Some digital tuners even display when the note you’re tuning matches the correct pitch. Visit our Violin Supplies for a sampling of tuners.
What's a perfect fifth?
Want to know what a perfect fifth has to do with tuning? The violin’s four strings are tuned in perfect fifths. A perfect fifth (abbreviated P5) is the interval from the first to the last of five consecutive notes in a diatonic scale. Listen to the P5 pitch difference between each note: G D A E.
Does it matter which string I tune first?
Violinists generally tune their A string first to the pitch of A-440, then tune their other violin strings to the A string in perfect fifths. If you’re playing in an orchestra, the oboe typically plays the A for orchestra members to tune to because of its pure, distinctive tone. Even if you’re using a digital tuner to tune each note, listen carefully as you tune. It’s critical that you train your ear to know when you’re in tune, not only for tuning, but also so you’ll be able to play your music in tune!
What does A-440 mean?
A-440 is the pitch that most violin A strings are tuned to. A-440 means this pitch has 440 hertz vibration cycles per second (hertz measures frequency). Why 440? In an effort to standardize tuning, in the 1930s, many countries agreed A should be 440, and in the 1950s, the International Organization for Standardization selected A at 440 hertz as the standard tuning frequency (confirmed in 2017). Some orchestras still prefer to tune to a higher A (e.g. the New York Philharmonic tunes to A-442).
Do I need fine tuners on all four strings?
Beginning violinists often have fine tuners on all four strings to help them easily make small adjustments to the pitch. You can even buy violin tailpieces with integrated fine tuners. Fine tuners can also be very helpful for those who use all metal strings. Most violins do have a fine tuner on their thin metal E string.
What's so special about the E string?
Most violins have an E fine tuner because E is the thinnest string and is more challenging to precisely tune using just the peg (turn the peg too much, and the thin metal string could break). Some violinists feel more than one fine tuner affects the sound of their instrument, but it's a personal preference, so decide what works best for you!
Why use double stops to tune?
Many advanced violinists use double stops when tuning. Once your A string is in tune, learning how to use double stops to tune the rest of your strings in perfect fifths to the A is an important skill to acquire. A double stop means playing notes on two strings at the same time. Try it! After tuning your A string, listen very carefully for the interval of a perfect fifth and adjust your pegs or fine tuners as needed as you play double stops with the D and A string, G and D string, and A and E string.
Having trouble with pegs?
If your pegs are slipping, make sure you’re pushing your pegs in while turning. If your pegs are still slipping or are too tight to securely adjust, you may want to purchase peg compound. If you don’t have peg compound and need a temporary quick fix for slipping or tight pegs, pull the peg partially out, and rub pencil graphite on the sticking part of the peg. For loose pegs, pull the violin peg partially out, and rub birthday candle wax on the peg to help it stick.
Why are my new strings so out of tune?
Be aware that when you put on new violin strings, it will take a while for the strings to stretch out and adjust and you’ll need to tune more often for the next few practice sessions. If you need help changing your violin strings, visit our Changing Violin Strings section.
I’m still having problems tuning!
If your instrument is the reason why you continue having problems with tuning, you may need to have your peg(s) reshaped or repaired at a violin shop. It’s also important that you take good care of your violin and bow. Learn more at Violin Care section.
