How Tight Should Violin Strings Be?

Violin showing bridge, fine tuners and tailpiece

Tune Your Violin Correctly.

Tuning pegs on scroll of the violin

Tuning a violin in the proper manner should naturally result in the correct tension on each of the four strings, provided genuine violin strings are used--G, D, A and E. Tune your violin using the tuning pegs on the scroll of the violin, or using the fine tuners near the bridge. Never cause a string to be tighter by tuning it higher than its designated pitch.

Check the Condition and Adjustment of Violin.

Inspect the violin before tightening strings.

If your violin needs repair, particularly the sound post inside the body of the violin or the bridge, or if any of these parts are improperly placed, attempting to tune the violin could result in enough tension to further damage the instrument.

Bottom Line

Properly aligned bridge on a violin

It is safe to assume that tuning your violin properly will result in the correct tightness or tension of all four strings, as long as the correct strings are used, and each string is tuned no higher than its designated pitch. However, first check that the sound post is set properly. Also, be sure that the bridge is not warped or cracked, and that it is placed correctly on the violin--upright and in line with the fingerboard and tailpiece. Otherwise, consult a luthier if you suspect your violin is not in peak condition before attempting to adjust or tune it.

References

• The Violin Site: Violin Care
• West Country Violins: Violin Care
• Violin Student Central: Tuning Your Violin