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Violin tuning

A violin is tuned G D A E, from the lowest, thickest string to the highest: G3 D4 A4 E5. Each string is a fifth above the one below it, and the A is tuned to 440 Hz. Tap a string to hear it.

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

How the violin is tuned

The violin’s four strings are tuned in perfect fifths. The A string is tuned first, to a tuner, a piano or, in an orchestra, the oboe’s A at 440 Hz, and the others are tuned from it.

Small turns are made with the fine tuners on the tailpiece; the pegs are for bigger changes, such as a new string. A mandolin is tuned to the same four notes.

Violin string notes

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

Violin tuning: each string’s note and frequency, with A4 at 440 Hz
StringNoteFrequency
1stE5659.26 Hz
2ndA4440 Hz
3rdD4293.66 Hz
4thG3196 Hz

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

How to tune a violin by ear

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

  1. Tune the 2nd 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 A and E strings together and tune the E 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 violin tuner.

Violin tunings

Each tuning’s notes in string order, and when it is used. Pick one above to hear its strings.

Violin tunings: the notes of each, in string order, and when it is used
TuningNotesUsed for
StandardG D A EEvery violin and fiddle, in classical music, folk and jazz.
Cross A (A E A E)A E A EOld-time fiddle: the G and D strings up a whole step, for tunes in A.
Cross G (G D G D)G D G DOld-time fiddle: the A and E strings down a whole step, for tunes in G.

Questions about violin tuning

What are the notes of the violin strings?

G D A E, from the 4th string, the lowest, to the 1st: G3 D4 A4 E5. The open G is the lowest note a violin plays.

Why is the violin tuned to A first?

The A string sits in the middle and an orchestra tunes to one A, at 440 Hz, so every instrument agrees. With the A in tune, the D, G and E follow from it in fifths.

Should I tune with the pegs or the fine tuners?

The fine tuners for small changes, since they move the pitch a little at a time. Use the pegs only when a string is far out, pushing the peg in as you turn so it holds.

Is a fiddle tuned like a violin?

Yes: a fiddle is a violin, tuned G D A E. Some old-time tunes use cross tunings such as A E A E, so open strings ring along with the melody.

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.

Viola tuning

C G D A

A violin’s G, D and A with a low C in place of the E.

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 D major

Open the free editor with a beat in D major playing, tune up and play your violin 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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