| Violin Tuning |
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Stringed instruments present many challenges to the beginner. The first thing the new player comes up against is tuning.
Violins need to be tuned every time they are played.
Wood changes with temperature and humidity fluctuations. When the wood expands or contracts, the tension on the strings change and the violin is no longer in tune. The strings also stretch.
Step one of the learning process is tuning.
The violin is tuned G D A E. Strings are designed to withstand the tension of normal tuning. Even going a couple tones above can snap the strings.
With the need to be in tune, and the risk of breaking strings, how do beginners go about tuning?
Experienced players use a pitch pipe or tuning fork. A tuning fork will produce the A tone. It is struck against a hard object to start it ringing. Then it is touched to the violin so the violin will amplify the tone. You then pluck the A string and tune it to match the pitch of the tuning fork. A pitch pipe uses the same principle but it is blown, and the violin strings are tuned to match the pitch. It should be noted that with a tuning fork, you are only using it to tune the A string on the violin. You then tune the rest of the strings to the A string.
Pitched pipes normally have all four pitches.
What do you do if you are not able to tune by ear? A beginner that has no musical background can rarely tune by ear. It is recommended that beginners look into an electronic tuner. These sense the pitch of the string and tell you if it is high or low. You then tighten (raises pitch), or loosen (lowers pitch) the string. The tuner will also show when the tuning is right on.
Violins use friction tuners. The tuning pegs are made of wood and tapered. If the peg is not pushed into the hole far enough, it will slip loose. If the tuner slips, you apply inward pressure while turning. Use the tuners to get the strings close to pitch. Then use the fine tuners (if installed). Tuning the strings pulls the neck up slightly. This in turn loosens the rest of the strings. As you are tuning the violin, by the time you get to the last string, the change in tension may knock the first strings back out of tune. You must them repeat the tuning process. Each time you go back through the string there will be less re-tuning needed. After 2-4 times through it should be fine. This only happens when the violin is severely out of tune. Minor adjustments can be done just once.
Pegs sometimes do not turn smoothly or they turn too smoothly (not holding the strings). Peg compound should be applied when you begin to notice a problem. If you do not have peg compound, normal chalk or pencil led will work. Violin rosin will also help slipping pegs. Humidity changes will cause the pegs to slip. This can go on for a few days before the violin settles. It is also possible that your pegs are not fit correctly or may have worn over time. In this case, repair may be needed.
When tuning the violin`s bridge often moves. The top of the bridge will be pulled over. The feet of the bridge should be flat on the violin. The back of the bridge should be at a 90 degree angle to the violin top. From time to time you will need to carefully push the bridge back into place.
Strings do break for no apparent reason but more likely it is due to user error. From our experience, even the low grade strings are durable. If you are regularly breaking strings while tuning, it is likely from tuning them to high.
Violin strings also need to be replaced from time to time. Strings will begin to lose their tone after about one month. When you change them is a personal preference. A general guideline is six months. Strings also stretch unevenly. This will cause the violin to seem out of tune due to the string not vibrating correctly.
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