The violin is tuned in fifths: G D A E, from the lowest string. Tune the A first, usually to 440 Hz (many orchestras use 442 or 443: set the reference A4 to match), then the others.
Violin tuning
| Tuning | Strings | Frequencies (Hz, A4 = 440) |
|---|---|---|
| Standard | G3 D4 A4 E5 | 196.00 · 293.66 · 440.00 · 659.26 |
Tips
- Use the fine tuners for small changes and the pegs only when a string is far off.
- Bow the open string steadily: the strobe shows the smallest drift.
- Fifths tuned pure by ear are slightly wider than equal-tempered ones: if you tune by ear to your A, the C string of a cello or viola ends up a little low. The tuner's equal fifths are the usual compromise.