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How to Tune Your Violin with the Pegs


line sketch of violin pegs and unwound strings scattered on empty background

  1. Get a tuner that works for you.

    If you want to keep things analog, you can get a tuning fork for an "A" and keep it in your case. To use it, give it a tap on a sturdy surface. Sometimes I even use my knee! Then, making sure your fingers stay off of the forked part, set the ball of the tuning fork on a table, your instrument's body, or on your head right in front of your ear. It's fun to discover what helps a tuning fork sound by looking around your house! When you have the pitch in your ear, you can start to adjust your A string to match that of the fork. Using a tuning fork is challenging, but it will teach you many useful skills.


    For digital options, there are many free and paid tuning apps for phones. I personally like TE Tuner. Find one that has an interface you like. There are also stand-alone tuners/metronomes for young students that do not have a device. A lot of people like the clip-on tuners, but I have never used one for violin for a couple of reasons. The clip-on tuners made for violin mount on the body, and therefore mute some of the vibrations. They are visually distracting as well in my opinion. Clip on tuners of other shapes (see here to see the shape to avoid) will not work at all for violin. There isn't anywhere to clip them since we may need to use the pegs while tuning.


Ideally, you are looking for a tool to help you learn what to listen for as you are beginning. After you have much practice with tuning your violin, the best approach is to use your tuner to give you an "A." From there, finish tuning your instrument by ear with double stops, listening for balanced fifths. This method teaches you much more than relying on your tuner for all of the answers. I have my students practice singing an A in lessons, without a reference note! Wherever they guess, we compare and see if they can remember anything about the sound of their A string. Is it high or low? Where do I feel it in my voice when I sing? Perfect pitch is rare, but I believe that everyone can learn relative pitch. Relative pitch is being able to say how far apart two notes are. It can also mean that you can memorize a certain pitch, like an "A" for tuning.


  1. Find a comfortable seat and place your tuner or tuning fork close by.

    Pegs on a violin can be sticky, and can also take quite a bit of strength to adjust correctly. To use the pegs, you will need a secure way to hold your violin. This is best done in your lap while you are seated, with the instrument facing you.

    Set your tuner in a place where you can read it while you are plucking the strings.


  1. Start with the A string

    And do not start with the E string! The tension is very high, and it is quite easy to break if tightened too much. We start with A also because this is the common string between violins, violas, cellos, and basses. See if you notice this ritual at the next concert you attend!


With the instrument facing you, pluck the string repeatedly with your LEFT HAND, looking at the tuner. Determine if you need the string to be higher (tighter) or lower (looser). This can take some practice. You can always come back to my video to hone your skills.


No matter which direction you need to tune, always turn the peg towards you, lowering the pitch, to begin. The peg can be quite stuck, and take force to move. If you tune up first, you can have a broken string very quickly.

Always tune down first

Always tune down first!


Once you get the peg moving with your right hand, you will continue plucking the string at all times to tell how much the string is stretching. This is important so that you don't go too far past the pitch, which can put so much tension on the string that it breaks (think of pulling a rubber band tight until it breaks). While plucking, turn the peg and push in at the same time. If you don't push in, it can slip and the string will go loose. A loose string is not a problem, just wind it back up slowly.


Always pluck and listen to the pitch as you turn the peg

Always pluck and listen to the pitch as you turn the peg!


Go slowly and methodically. And, it is okay if you break a string in the learning process. Just have extras!


When the pitch is reading close to your target A (no sharp or flat symbol next to the letter), then you can move to the other strings. D (switch to plucking with right hand, turning the peg with your left hand), G, then E (back to plucking with left, turning with right).


  1. Fine Tune.

If you have have fine tuners, use those to finish off the process. If not, go back through the strings one more time using the pegs to double check that the pitches are still on target. You can do this while plucking the strings, but you'll get more accuracy if you use the bow at this stage.


Eventually, I highly recommend learning how to tune with double stops from a tuned A string. This requires you to get to know your instrument on a deep level, and you'll learn to pick up subtle signs that your strings are resonating happily with one another. Inquire about a lesson if you are curious!


Bonus tips

*When you are in a group setting, such as a jam, session, orchestra, etc., take care to tune very quietly, away from other players and/or conversation. And don't be afraid to ask for help if you need it! The music is always more enjoyable and successful when the instruments can really sing together from the same pitch centers.


*Tune all of your strings! Even as a beginner that may only be using A string for a bit, or A and E string, tuning all of your strings is essential. The violin is a resonating box, and all of the strings will vibrate a little when the instrument is resonating. If all the strings are in tune, the more sound and beauty you will hear!


If you want to improve your tuning process further, you can inquire about lessons or a workshop through my contact form.



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