Q&A for How to Tune a Violin

Gently turn the pegs to make small changes. First, tune the A string, then the D and G. Finally, tune the E string using the fine tuner if possible. Making big changes can cause the strings to break, so take your time.

For most violins the strings are in order of G D A E, with the thickest being G and thinnest being E.

You can try using new strings, I suggest the Eva Pirazzi Gold strings, but they are pretty expensive. You can also play with more pressure on the bow.

Do you have fine tuners? If you do, use those. If not, get your violin checked out at a repair shop.

Put your violin on your left shoulder, then put the bow between the bridge of the violin and the fingerboard, use some pressure and see if any sound comes out. Try this again if no sound comes.

Most sites recommend 440hz, but I personally recommend 432hz. Try both and see which you prefer.

The wider end of the shoulder rest should be closest to the chin rest. The longer part that dips down should be farthest from the chin rest.

In my personal experience, it can take from a couple of hours to the next day. It depends on the strings and the instrument.

The violin will sound quite high and out of tune, and it can potentially snap the strings.

You can use the pegs for the time being, but you may want to take your violin to the repair shop or buy a new fine tuner to install yourself (it isn't that difficult). Some people choose to only keep a fine tuner on the E string, so unless you hate using the pegs or don't feel confident using them, you can just take the fine tuner off your A string and not worry about fixing it.

I've been there. Before I got my violin I was trying out an acoustic guitar, and I broke my high e string when I was tuning it. I got scared to tune it, but with a stringed instrument, just try again and be careful. Do not turn the pegs fast.

It is normal for the pegs to slip a little bit each day, especially in the winter. Make sure when you are tuning, you are turning the peg and pushing it in. You can press the pegs in harder as long as you don’t crack the wood. Additionally, peg compound, which can be bought at music stores for a few dollars, helps with preventing slipping pegs.

No. If a violin string is snapped, it should not be put back on the instrument as it is now no longer usable. You should replace a broken string with a new string.

They start because the fourth finger on your A string is the same as the E string. The fourth finger on your D string is the same as your A string, and the fourth finger on your G string is the same as your D string.

Yes, this is the proper way to tune. Tucking your left hand at the fine tuners at the lower end of the violin while holding the instrument with just your neck and chin and playing the strings with your right hand bow will allow you to easily adjust the tuners as you play.

Take it to the nearest music shop. If they can't fix it, they'll know someone who can.