Violin Tuner

How to tune a violin by ear

A violin in standard tuning is tuned G3–D4–A4–E5, from the lowest string to the highest.

If you are tuning by ear, start with one string and really listen before moving on. For most players, the A string is the natural starting point, especially if you are tuning with other musicians. Play the A4 reference tone above, then play your own A string and adjust until the two pitches settle together.

When the notes are close, you may hear a slow pulsing between them. That pulsing is useful. The slower it becomes, the closer the two pitches are. When the pitches match closely, the pulsing almost disappears.

Once the A string feels right, move on to D, G and E. After all four strings are tuned, check them once more. On a violin, changing the tension of one string can slightly affect the others.

Standard violin tuning

These frequencies are based on the common reference pitch A4 = 440 Hz. If you need another concert pitch, you can change the reference pitch in the TuneStrings tuner.

Bow or pluck?

You can tune a violin either with the bow or by plucking the string.

Plucking is quick and convenient, especially when you are making a rough adjustment. Bowing gives you a longer, more sustained tone, which can make small pitch differences easier to hear.

If you are very close to the correct pitch but are not sure which way to adjust, use a steady bow stroke and listen for the slow beating between your string and the reference tone.

Pegs or fine tuners?

Use the main pegs for larger corrections and the fine tuners for the last small adjustment.

If a string is clearly flat or sharp, the peg will usually get you into the right area faster. Once the pitch is close, the fine tuner gives you much more control.

Make peg adjustments gradually. Violin strings are under considerable tension, and the E string in particular can reach the target pitch very quickly. Small movements are usually enough.

Alternative violin tunings

Most violin music uses standard G–D–A–E tuning, but traditional fiddle music also uses alternative tunings, often called cross tuning or scordatura.

ADAE – High Bass

A3–D4–A4–E5

Here the lowest G string is raised to A. This gives you two A strings an octave apart and creates more open-string resonance around A and D.

It is a useful tuning when the music sits strongly in those tonal areas and you want the instrument to ring more freely.

AEAE – Cross A

A3–E4–A4–E5

This is a classic cross-tuning setup for fiddle playing. The duplicated A and E pitches make open strings very prominent and give the violin a strong, resonant character.

Both ADAE and AEAE are available in the tuner above, so you can switch between them without having to calculate the notes yourself.

What if the violin will not stay in tune?

Sometimes the problem is not your ear. New strings stretch, old strings can become unstable and pegs can slip.

After fitting new strings, expect to retune several times during the first playing sessions. That is completely normal. The strings need time to settle under tension.

If one string repeatedly drops in pitch, check that the peg is holding properly. If the pitch changes unevenly or the string feels difficult to control, the string itself may be worn or damaged.

A few practical tuning tips

Use a light, steady sound when comparing pitches. A very hard pluck or aggressive bow attack can make the pitch wobble slightly before it settles.

If possible, approach the final pitch from slightly below rather than tuning down from above. This often helps the string and peg settle more securely.

Do not rush the last few cents. The final small adjustment is where listening becomes most useful. If you can hear the beating slow down, you are moving in the right direction.

And once the violin is tuned, play a few open-string fifths such as G–D or D–A. They are a good final check that the instrument feels balanced.

Frequently asked questions

What is standard violin tuning?

Standard violin tuning is G3–D4–A4–E5, from the lowest string to the highest.

Which violin string should I tune first?

The A string is a common starting point because it is often used as the reference string when tuning with other musicians.

What frequency is the violin A string?

At standard concert pitch, the violin A string is A4 = 440 Hz.

Should I tune with the bow or by plucking?

Either works. Plucking is convenient for rough tuning, while bowing gives you a longer sustained tone and can make small pitch differences easier to hear.

What is cross tuning on violin?

Cross tuning means changing one or more strings from standard G–D–A–E tuning. Common examples include ADAE and AEAE.

Why does a new violin string keep going flat?

New strings stretch after they are fitted. They usually need to be retuned several times before they become stable.