Edit Article

Using a tuner will help you to learn to tune your violin or fiddle quickly and accurately. As you advance, you will find it easier to tune without the aid of an electronic tuner.


  1. 1
    Buy a good electronic tuner from your music store. I recommend the Korg chromatic tuner or the Korg TM digital tuner and metronome, both available from Shar Music. These devices will show an electronic needle that signifies the accuracy of your pitch. You can set the tuner to play a pitch back to you (for example, A440) or to pick up the pitch that you play. If you choose a metronome tuner, you will also be able to use the device to help you with rhythm.
  2. Tune a Violin With a Tuner Step 2.jpg
    Set your tuner to play A440. Listen carefully to the tone before attempting to tune your violin.
  3. Tune a Violin With a Tuner Step 3.jpg
    Place your violin on your shoulder in the proper position and place the bow on the A string. Draw the bow smoothly along the string, midway between the bridge and the fingerboard. Do not press the bow too hard into the string, nor too lightly. You want a smooth, accurate tone. Listen and compare the sound of your A string to the A440 tone on the tuner. Do they match?
  4. Tune a Violin With a Tuner Step 4.jpg
    If the pitches from your violin and tuner do not sound the same, set the tuner to the "tuner" option. It should show a needle on the LCD screen whenever a tone is detected. You may sing a note to test whether your tuner is in the proper mode.
  5. Tune a Violin With a Tuner Step 5.jpg
    Play the A string on your violin. Watch the needle on the LCD screen. If the needle leans to the left, you will need to raise the pitch of your A string by either tightening the fine tuners or using the peg. (If using pegs, you will need to first loosen the peg slightly, and then tighten it, so that your string does not break. Do this carefully, or have your teacher show you the proper way to tune using pegs.) If the needle leans to the right, your pitch is too high. You will need to lower the pitch using the fine tuners or peg. You are in tune when the needle points straight up.
  6. Tune a Violin With a Tuner Step 6.jpg
    To tune your other strings, follow steps 1-3, but setting the tuner to E, D, and G.
  7. Tune a Violin With a Tuner Step 7.jpg
    Check your tuning by playing the E and A strings together, the A and D, and finally the D and G strings. When your strings are in tune, they should create an "open" sound and, if you listen closely, you should be able to hear other tones (overtones) when playing two strings together.

We could really use your help!

Can you tell us about
sinus infections?
sinus infections
how to feel better when you have a sinus infection
Can you tell us about
how to be great at DotA
Can you tell us about
how to store asparagus
Can you tell us about
how to understand main concepts in Calculus
Thanks for helping! Please tell us everything you know about
Provide Details.
Don't say: Eat more fats.


How to use a fine tuner and a pitch pipe to tune a violin or viola


  • If you are inexperienced with using pegs to tune your violin, have a teacher or more experienced player show you how. Having a string break is not only bad for your violin, it can cause injury if the string hits your face.
  • Be careful when using fine tuners not to tighten them to the point that the metal screws touch the body of your violin. This can cause damage to the wood and affect the sound. If your fine tuners are getting too "low" (nearly touching the wood), it is time to loosen the fine tuners and use the pegs to tighten your strings
  • Replace your strings as often as necessary, as dirt, sweat and oils from your fingers can cause them to deteriorate. It is a good idea to get new strings every 6 months, or when they start to sound dull or show damage from wear.

Things You'll Need

  • Digital chromatic tuner (with battery)
  • Violin
  • Bow

Article Info

Categories: Stub | Violins and Violas

Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 12,080 times.

Did this article help you?
Yes No