Tune your violin like a PRO violinist

[@JBSpecialMusic]

Thanks Zlata for sharing your wealth of knowledge! Now I understand what's going on when orchestras tune. I play mandolin and mandola, and like to apply violin/fiddle technique wherever possible to add flavor and texture to my music. Most often I play Celtic, bluegrass, easy classical and folk with some musicians I've connected with in Portugal. An electric violin (easier to play at home 24/7) might soon jump into my Thomann shopping cart.

[@violinlounge]

That's wonderful! Welcome!

[@davidbrandt6925]

I tune my viola A to 417 Hz to match the natural vibrations of nature. I drop the C, G, and D strings 23 Hz also to match. The instrument sounds much better and I believe it has healing vibrations.

[@DunravenWest1]

To identify when the sound we hear is actually a perfect fifth: are there overtones that we can listen for that will confirm the accuracy of the interval? Many thanks for any help with this 🙂

[@violinlounge]

I identify it personally as a very open resonant sound.

[@olofjansson9356]

When you are close but not in perfect tune, you will hear a pulsating sound or "beat" between the two strings. You may need to listen very carefully for it but once you hear it, you'll always know to listen for it. Adjust until the beat vanishes and you'll be there.

[@fionamullen3771]

Thanks for this explanation. Do you have a view on whether to tune to 440 Hz or 442 Hz? I ask because my teacher says 442 sounds “better” but I think my upright piano at home (which I use for crosschecking sightseeing pieces) must be 440. Or maybe it is a candidate for another short video another day on all the whole question of pitch 😀.

[@violinlounge]

Ah, well it's personal preference. Lots of orchestras play 442, but of course if you're playing together with a pianist and the piano is tuned at 440 you'll have to go with that. 440 is also a standard.

[@ElsweyrDiego]

if i tune the violin with "just intonation" and check on a tuner, which frequencies each string will be showed?

[@violinlounge]

In just intonation with A440 the E is 660hz, the D is 296.333 and the G is 195.5555

[@MrVenescence]

I see that you use the peg to tune the violin, my teacher use the fine tuner (i am a novice). How do we decide if we act on the peg or the fine tuner to tune our violin ? And to be sure not to snap the string when tuning it ? ^^"

[@violinlounge]

See my full tuning guide at www.violinlounge.com/tuner

[@MrVenescence]

@@violinlounge Thank you ! ^^