Violin Forum/Message Board

[violinguy]

Do any of you use a chromatic tuner to tune your violin and if so, how does it work for you, and if not, what do you use? Thanks.

vg

[Jack Rushing]

I use a clamp-on tuner by " Intellitouch ". You can clamp it on the scroll,
or lay it flat on the top. With my tin ear, I need a good tuner. I have found
that you get more accurate results quicker, if you pluck the strings in a
straight up motion, rather than across them. Or, you can use your bow.

[Becky]

When I first started playing the violin I used a chromatic tuner to tune. My ear has gotten a lot better and now I find it easier and more accurate to tune by ear. Sometimes I'll tune my A to a piano, but I prefer tuning the A to the tuner (or just tuning it by ear and checking it with the tuner) and then tune my other strings to the A (playing D and A together to tune the D, then D and G to tune the G, then A and E to tune the E). When you get used to how they sound when they are in tune, it's easier to tune without the aid of the tuner. Chromatic tuners work well (especially if you have nothing to tune to, or if your ear needs more developing), but if you use one, make sure you're still working on developing your ear and don't rely on the tuner.
The chromatic tuners are nice because they'll tell you whether you are too sharp or too flat.
I don't know if this is chance or if it's true for everyone, but I've noticed that the more advanced musicians tend to use tuning forks (which I also like, I just haven't felt like buying one).

[Elkwoman46]

I am determined to train my ears properly, and so now I am adamant about keeping my strings in tune as best as I can, and I keep checking them still at this point with a chromatic tuner. I also have a clip-on tuner coming my way. This is also chromatic, and I hope it works just as good.
Anyway, I hurt myself as a teenager many years ago when I was learning a guitar on a very cheap guitar that refused to stay in tune. I did not realize the harm that I did to myself. I learned songs and thought they were fine (gradually) because I was off to a very poor start. I really confused my ears, and I know it.
But today things have dramatically improved, but I did confuse my ears years ago.
Some months ago, I suddenly heard it, and I could hear a certain brightness when I played each note; it was so exciting, as I knew that I was playing the songs correctly.
I will continue to tune with tuners for a long time, I know, as I know it is helping me. My goal is to train my ears...perfectly. I want that so very much.

[Gizmo]

Yeah, that "brightness" DOES have to do with accurate tuning and is something I rarely achieve using either of my two electronic tuners or the pitch pipe. I have to continuously tweak with the fine tuners.

In addition, I tune while having a tourte mute in place as this reduces "racket" which helps stabilize the needle on the tuners.

I find that when tuning is right on, any open string will create a special pleasant lingering sound when plucked. Given this, the violin almost plays by itself.
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[Bach]

I don't use a tuner. All I know about tuning is when you turn the know right the string goes higher and when you turn it left it goes lower. Also, when you turn the peg backwards you make string higher, forwards lower. When my brother used to play the guitar he used a tuner though. It was a clamp on.

[mecqna]

[Hyprodimus Prime]

So you guys all tune your own violins? Im very scared to tune my own because thats how I broke a string before.

[Musicalion]

I would recommend getting your teacher's help in learning to tune your own violin. If your teacher has the habit of tuning yours at the beginning of each lesson to save time, remind him/her that you'd like to learn to do it yourself.
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[Mat Roop]