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Viola tuning

A viola is tuned C G D A, from the lowest string to the highest: C3 G3 D4 A4. Each string is a fifth above the one below it, a fifth lower than a violin. Tap a string to hear it.

Tap a string to hear its note, then tune yours to match.

How the viola is tuned

The viola shares the violin’s G, D and A strings at the same pitch, drops the violin’s E and adds a low C, a fifth below the G. The cello is tuned to the same four notes an octave lower.

As on a violin, the A is tuned first, to 440 Hz, and the others from it in fifths, with the fine tuners for small turns and the pegs for big ones.

Viola string notes

Each open string in standard tuning, from the 1st to the 4th, with the frequency a tuner looks for.

Viola tuning: each string’s note and frequency, with A4 at 440 Hz
StringNoteFrequency
1stA4440 Hz
2ndD4293.66 Hz
3rdG3196 Hz
4thC3130.81 Hz

Every other note’s frequency is on the note frequency chart.

How to tune a viola by ear

Tune one string to a tuner or its button above, and the others follow from it.

  1. Tune the 1st string, A, to A4 (440 Hz), against a tuner or the A string’s button above.
  2. Bow the D and A strings together and tune the D until the fifth between them sounds smooth, with no beating.
  3. Bow the G and D strings together and tune the G the same way.
  4. Bow the C and G strings together and tune the C the same way.

A string tuned up to its note holds its pitch better, so to lower one, go a little below the note and come back up to it.

To tune with your mic instead, use the viola tuner.

Questions about viola tuning

What are the notes of the viola strings?

C G D A, from the 4th string, the lowest, to the 1st: C3 G3 D4 A4. Its open C is an octave below middle C.

Is a viola tuned like a violin?

Three of its strings, G, D and A, are the violin’s at the same pitch. The viola has a low C where the violin has a high E.

Is a viola tuned like a cello?

To the same notes, C G D A, with the cello an octave lower: the viola’s C is C3, the cello’s C2.

More instrument tunings

Guitar tuning

E A D G B E

Standard, drop D, open G, DADGAD and ten more, each to hear.

Ukulele tuning

G C E A

Standard, low G, baritone and D tuning, with the high G explained.

Bass guitar tuning

E A D G

4-string, 5-string, 6-string and drop D, from the low B up.

Banjo tuning

G D G B D

Open G for bluegrass, then double C, open D, G modal and tenor.

Mandolin tuning

G D A E

G D A E in four pairs, like a violin, plus mandola and octave.

Violin tuning

G D A E

Four strings in fifths from the A at 440 Hz, plus cross tunings.

Cello tuning

C G D A

The viola’s four notes an octave lower, down to C2 at 65 Hz.

Every instrument’s standard tuning, side by side, is on the tunings page.

Play along in C major

Open the free editor with a beat in C major playing, tune up and play your viola along with it, then add a melody or your voice, part by part. No account needed to start.

Start a beatAll tunings

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