Ear Training : Tuning your Violin Part 1

Summary

Tuning the violin is an opportunity to train your ear, not just a task to complete with an electronic tuner. A tuner is useful, especially for beginners, to ensure the strings are in tune. However, relying on it for every adjustment can prevent you from learning to hear and remember pitches.

Use the tuner as a pitch reference and final check, while doing the initial listening and adjustment by ear. Developing this skill takes time, and your ear may not be accurate at first. Regular practice helps improve pitch recognition and memory, supporting your violin playing overall.

Suggested Tuning Method

Follow the same process for each string:

1. Set the tuner to A = 440 Hz.
2. Tune the A string first.
   • Listen to the A pitch from the tuner and try to remember it.
   • Compare it with the violin’s A string.
   • Adjust the string by ear, judging whether it sounds too flat or too sharp.
   • Avoid looking at the tuner during this first attempt.
3. Do your best without aiming for perfection. If your ear is not yet accurate, keep practicing the comparison and adjustment. The goal is to listen actively.
4. Check your result with the tuner after you have made your best attempt. If the string is still off, use the tuner to guide any necessary correction.
5. Repeat for the remaining strings: D, then G, then E. Higher pitches, especially the E string, may be harder to judge at first. This is normal and should become easier with experience.
6. Use a clear, pleasant sound at a moderate volume. A scratchy or poor-quality sound can make it difficult to judge the pitch, particularly on the E string.

Tuning entirely by ear may take longer at first than letting the tuner do all the work. The extra time is worthwhile because it trains pitch memory and listening skills.

Speakers and Sources

• Violin instructor/presenter: Explains and demonstrates the ear-training approach to tuning.
• Electronic tuner: Provides reference pitches and checks the tuning.