Violin Tuner

1. Tuning Using a Tuner:The easiest method of tuning a violin is to use a tuner. This could be in the form of a clip-on chromatic tuner, an app on your phone, or a web-based tuning app (like the one discussed here). These devices detect the frequency of the sound produced by your violin and show you whether it’s in tune or not. They are generally made for standard violin tuning (G, D, A, E), but may also support alternative tunings.


2. Tuning Using a Digital Metronome or Tuning Fork:Digital metronomes often have the option to play specific notes, such as middle C or concert A (440 Hz). You can then use these as a reference to tune your strings accordingly.


3. Tuning By Ear:Tuning a violin by ear is the traditional way of doing it; however, it requires a lot of experience and ear training. This may not be very intuitive or simple for a beginner. Hence, beginners should use accurate tuners to train their ears to the correct pitch.

• The main advantage of tuning with a tuner or online tool is that it does not require any skill or training. Anyone can use a tuner to accurately tune their violin to the correct pitch and immediately start practicing. Tuner apps allow you to tune perfectly as they show you the exact deviation so you can adjust your violin accordingly.


• Tuning by ear, on the other hand, requires experience and training. You have to use a reference note and your ears to match your violin until it sounds the same (and resonates). Since there is no exact way to measure the deviation, you may not be able to tune your violin accurately if you are not experienced.

Fine tuners are small screws on the tailpiece of a violin that allow you to precisely tune the violin to the desired pitch. These screws move in very small steps, so they only make small adjustments to the tuning, unlike the main tuning pegs on the headstock. If you want to have greater control over your violin’s tuning, fine tuners are a great thing to have. However, many professionals do not like fine tuners on their violins, as they increase the mass of the violin, and make it more likely to produce wolf tones, false notes and buzzing. So this is ultimately a matter of personal preference.

The standard tuning for a violin is G₃, D₄, A₄, E₅. However, there are several uncommon and alternative tunings that you may come across:

• AEAE = ‘Fiddle’ Tuning. Also known as ‘Cross Tuning’.


• FCGD = Cajun Tuning. This is a whole step down from GDAE.


• GDGD = Sawmill Tuning. Also known as ‘Cross G’.


• GDGB = Open G Tuning.


• GDAD = Known as ‘Gee-Dad’ (similar to DADGAD tuning on a guitar).


• DDAD = Open D Tuning. Also known as ‘Dead Man's Tuning’ or ‘Dee-Dad’.


• ADAE = High Bass Tuning. Also known as ‘Old-Timey D Tuning’.


• AEAC♯ = Black Mountain Rag Tuning. Also known as ‘Calico Tuning’ or ‘Open A Tuning’.

The process of tuning by ear begins with checking that the violins pegs are functioning correctly, the strings are wound correctly (and do not slip), and that the bridge is positioned in the right place, perpendicular to the face of the violin. Then, follow these steps to tune your violin by ear:

• Hold the violin on your shoulder as you would while playing.


• Use the right hand to play the strings using the bow, and the left hand to adjust the tuning pegs.


• Start tuning the A string. Use a reference note from a metronome, a tuning fork, or another instrument.


• Play the string you are tuning, and listen to the reference. Tune your A string according to this reference until it resonates and is perfectly in tune.


• If the string is really sharply out of tune, adjust the peg of the string until the pitch is roughly correct, and then fine-tune it for greater accuracy. Be gentle with the pegs, since adjusting them quickly is likely to break the strings.


• Now, play the D and A strings together with your bow, and listen to them closely. If it sounds dissonant, you have to adjust the pegs on the D string until it is in harmony with the A string. It will sound like a chord once it is in tune.


• Repeat the above two steps for G and E until all the strings are in tune, and then double-check them for accuracy.

Ideally, you should tune your violin every time you play it. This ensures that you will play in perfect pitch and improve your practice routine as well.

But how often it becomes absolutely necessary to tune an instrument depends heavily on the temperature and humidity of the locale, and how the instrument is stored. The build quality of the violin and its tuning pegs also affects how quickly it will detune itself.

The primary reason for pegs slipping is that, over time, the fit between the peg and the hole it goes into is no longer as tight as it should be, and the peg just slips during tuning, making it impossible to play. This happens due to changes in temperature and humidity and is a gradual process.

The temporary solution is to push the peg in each time you tune the instrument, but this would have to be repeated each time you tune and may eventually damage the instrument. A better solution is to apply ‘peg drops’ to the pegs’ holes.

These will increase friction and prevent any slipping and squeaking. A bar of soap can also be rubbed onto the peg after taking it out of the violin if peg drops are not on hand.

However, improperly installed strings may also be the reason for pegs slipping. In this case, you should ensure that the strings are well-wound and properly ‘wedged’ into the pegs. Here’s a short video that explains how to fix slipping pegs on your violin.