Viola tuner: C G D A
Free online tuner, set to C G D A — press Start tuner and play a string
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The viola is tuned in fifths like the violin, C3 G3 D4 A4, a fifth lower: it shares the violin’s G, D and A strings and replaces the E with a low C. Orchestras give the A first, so tune the A string to the oboe or the tuner and then the D, G and C strings in fifths below it.
Press Start tuner above, allow the microphone and play one open string at a time. The tuner is already set to viola, so in Auto mode it picks the nearest string and shows how many cents sharp or flat it is; switch to Manual to aim at one string. Bring each string up to the note from below, which helps it hold.
The strings: C G D A
Thickest string first, with the frequency at the standard A = 440 Hz. Each note opens the tuning drone on that pitch, for tuning by ear.
Check it by ear
Once one string is right, each neighbouring string can be checked against it — the beating between the two notes slows and stops when they agree.
- The 4th string (C3) and the 3rd string (G3) are a perfect fifth apart.
- The 3rd string (G3) and the 2nd string (D4) are a perfect fifth apart.
- The 2nd string (D4) and the 1st string (A4) are a perfect fifth apart.
Frequently asked questions
- What are the notes of viola tuning?
- From the thickest string to the thinnest: C3 (4th), G3 (3rd), D4 (2nd), A4 (1st). At A = 440 Hz that is C3 130.81 Hz, G3 196.00 Hz, D4 293.66 Hz, A4 440.00 Hz.
- Can I use a chromatic tuner for viola tuning?
- Yes. A chromatic tuner reads any note, so aim each string at C G D A in turn. This tuner has a viola preset, so it shows the target for each string and picks the nearest one for you.