Tuning a violin by ear is a valuable skill for any violinist to develop. It allows you to tune your instrument quickly and accurately, without relying on electronic tuners or other devices. In this guide, we will walk you through the process of tuning a violin by ear, step by step.

Step 1: Get Your A String in Tune

The first step in tuning your violin by ear is to get your A string in tune. You can use a variety of methods to do this, including:

• Using the ABOVE video as a tuning note for your A string. 👆
• Using a pitch pipe or tuning fork to produce a reference pitch
• Playing a piano or keyboard to get a reference pitch
• Using a digital tuner or tuning app on your phone or tablet
• Asking a friend or teacher to play an A for you to match

Once you have a reference pitch, play your A string and adjust it until it matches the pitch you're hearing. Make sure to play the string open (without pressing any fingers down on the fingerboard) and to use your ear to guide you as you make adjustments.

Step 2: Tune Your D String

Once your A string is in tune, you can start tuning your other strings. The next string to tune is your D string. To do this, play your A string and then play your D string. Adjust the D string until it sounds like a perfect fifth above the A string.

A perfect fifth is a specific interval that has a pure and open sound. It's the sound you hear when you play a C and a G together, or an F and a C together. When you're tuning your D string, try to match this sound as closely as possible.

Step 3: Tune Your G String

Once your D string is in tune, you can start tuning your G string. To do this, play your D string and then play your G string. Adjust the G string until it sounds like a perfect fifth above the D string.

Remember to use your ear to guide you as you make adjustments. Don't be afraid to play the strings back and forth a few times to make sure you're getting the sound just right.

Step 4: Tune Your E String

The final string to tune is your E string. To do this, play your G string and then play your E string. Adjust the E string until it sounds like a perfect fifth above the G string.

Tips and Tricks

Here are a few tips and tricks to keep in mind as you're tuning your violin by ear:

Always try to go from below to the pitch when tuning your violin. This means starting with a string that's a little too low and then adjusting it up to the correct pitch. 

The reasons for this is not only are you less likely to break a string, your ear actually hears the pitch better when tuning up (instead of tuning down to the note).

Next, recheck all your strings and make your intervals as tight as possible to ensure that your individual strings are in tune with the rest of the group. Getting used to the sound of a fifth (a fifth as an interval would be like a D to an A or an A to an E) is the easiest way to test your strings to know if they are in tune with one another. Once you have the sound of a fifth in your mind, checking the intervals should be much easier.

Conclusion

Tuning a violin by ear takes practice, but with these steps and tips, you can develop the skills you need to tune your instrument quickly and accurately. Remember to always use your ear to guide you, and don't be afraid to experiment and try new things. Happy playing!