First, some resources.
If you do not own a tuner, they're not super expensive. The ones we use most often at school are Snarks (Amazon link), or a few different kinds from Shar (here's one of them).
You can also use an app on any smartphone! I really like "Tuner- Pitched" or "Pitched Tuner" (the icon is a white tuning fork on an orange background) because you can tell it what instrument you play and it helps you know if your string is too high or too low in words. For violin, viola and cello another favorite free one is "Simply Tuner" because you can swipe to choose the correct instrument and click on the string you are tuning. For bass, try Bandmate Chromatic Tuner (this will work for any other instrument as well). InsTuner is another one that I like.
The Tuning Ninja website can help you if you are on a desktop computer and do not have access to a smartphone (the smartphone apps work a little better, though).
This page will play the pitches for you so you can hear them (you'll have to search for your instrument) if you do not have a tuner or a smartphone, or want to be extra sure you have the pitch in your ear so you don't break a string. This page has the pitches for violin and viola without needing to search.
Play every day! Instruments stay in tune better when they are used.
Bass players! You have gears! You are so lucky! If you want to up your tuning game, you can learn to tune with harmonics!
If your tuner says any number (it might have a just a number, or a number and then and then "Hz" after it), it should be 440. That's the frequency of the A we use. On some tuners, if you mash a button it might change to something else...play around and change it back!
This bassoon player tuned his bassoon to four different numbers and played the same song to show why we all have to agree to use 440!
Second, a reminder: you KNOW how to tune with the fine tuners. Try that first!
If your tuner has the right letter but a # next to it, turn the fine tuner to the LEFT (counterclockwise) to LOOSEN and make the note LOWER.
If your tuner has the wrong letter but it's just one letter below (your C string says a B, or your G string says F# or your A string says G#), you can probably turn your fine tuner to the RIGHT (clockwise) to TIGHTEN and make the note HIGHER.
If your fine tuner is all the way down and you can't adjust any more, you'll have to loosen it most of the way and then try tuning with the pegs.
Third: remember I am available for help! Email me at mccarrey_alison@asdk12.org to set up a personal Zoom tuning help session; I can talk you through this if you are nervous.
Fourth: okay, here we go with some directions for tuning with your pegs! There are quite a few videos to explain the process, too, if you'd like to see someone do it slowly for you! One (for cello), two (for violins/viola), three (for basses), four (all instruments), plus many more if you search.
Hold your instrument in front of you with the strings facing you. Brace your instrument against your lap if you play violin or viola.
Pluck the string you are trying to tune (it is much easier to pluck when using the pegs).
If your tuner says the pitch (note) of the string is too low (example: your A string is an F, or it is so loose that it can’t make a sound), you will need to tighten the string. You can use this page to play the pitches for violin or viola this page (search for your instrument!) to listen to the pitches on any instrument if you don't know if the pitch is too high or too low. You could also use your tuner or a piano.
Find the peg for the string you are tuning. Follow the string up to the peg EVERY TIME.
Loosen the peg slightly by turning it towards you- we always tune from below the pitch- then turn the peg away from you while simultaneously pushing it in. Pegs are WEDGES. You won't break your instrument by pushing in hard. You might break the string if you turn too fast, though!
***While plucking and looking at your tuner, turn the peg a tiny bit at a time to avoid breaking the string (it should barely feel like you are turning it - think about turning only 1 millimeter at a time. If your peg were a clock, you'd only turn it 5 minutes at a time.). Go slower than that. Nope: even slower. Just the tiniest bit (while pushing in and always plucking)!***
If the peg slips after you let go of it, you will need to push in a little harder while you are turning it. (You can do it!!!). Remember: tune from below and go slower than you think you need to!
If you get the peg to read the right letter, you can probably use the fine tuner to do the rest. If your fine tuner is all the way down, loosen it a bunch, then try again with the peg.
Sometimes turning a peg can make the other pegs go funny. Once you have fixed your A string, check D, G and then C or E and make sure they're all close. Then check one more time, and do the rest of the work with your fine tuners.