Tuning
Tuning can be done with the fine tuners (small circular knobs on the tailpiece of a violin, viola, or cello) or the tuning pegs at the head of the instrument (these are called machine heads on a bass). Tuning peg adjustments are for strings that are very out of tune, and it is a more advanced concept that I eventually teach during lessons. I do not recommend peg tuning by yourself while in elementary school, as it requires a bit of force to get the peg in place, and if you are not careful you will end up with a broken string.
Fine tuners are used for making small pitch adjustments. Use "lefty loosy, righty tighty" to help you adjust the string's pitch, while listening to the correct pitch on a tuner, piano, or website.
Ways to check tuning:
- Electronic tuner (clip-on, stand-alone, tuning app on a smart phone or tablet)
- Play the open string notes on a keyboard or in-tune piano
- Website: http://www.robinmaynes.com/tune.htm you can hear the notes being played
- Tuning fork (can purchase online or at music stores)
- See me in class, or a professional at a music store to help tune your instrument for you