Tuning your Violin

Lower Pitch Higher Pitch
 

It's important for students and helping parents to know how to tune a violin since all intonation rests on having a well tuned instrument.

The general rule to keep in mind is: turning clockwise will make the pitch higher, while turning counterclockwise will lower the pitch. This applies to both the pegs at the scroll of the violin and the fine tuners near the tailpiece.

Additionally, never turn too much or too quickly at one time to avoid the risk of overstretching and breaking the string.

 
1) Start with the A String.

Using our handy online pitch finder on this page, play an A note to know what tone you are aiming for.

If the string is way off pitch adjust the pegs at the scroll. Use one hand to brace the scroll while you turn and push in with the other hand. This is important because pegs are tapered in shape and pressure must be applied to lodge them into the scroll.

Once you are in close range of the tone, you may use the fine tuners near the tailpiece to perfect the intonation.

       
  Try our online pitchfinder!
Push each letter to hear the correct pitch
2) Proceed to D String.

After the A string is tuned proceed to tuning the D string. Play the A and D strings together. They should emit a perfect fifth. If you're still learning, you can use our handy online pitch finder to hear a D note.

3) Proceed to G and E Strings.

After the A and D strings are tuned to a fifth, proceed to tuning a perfect fifth with the D and G strings, and then the A and E strings. Finished!