How to Tune a Fiddle With a Peg

The peg is traditionally the only way to tune a violin. The strings were attached to the tailpiece, went over the bridge and were wound around the pegs. Today, fine tuners are standard on most violins. They are attached to the tailpiece and allow minor changes to be done to the pitch of the strings. Still, for major tuning, the pegs must be used.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Hold the peg with one hand and support the peg box with the other. The strings are under a tremendous amount of pressure so supporting the peg box while you tune can head off possible damage to the violin.
2. Tighten the string and bring the pitch upward by turning the peg away from you or in a counter-clockwise motion.
3. Loosen the string and bring the pitch down by rolling the peg towards you or in a clockwise motion.
4. Use a piano or tuner to find the pitch of the string that you need. From the far left to right the strings go G - D - A - E.
5. Hum the pitch of the correct note for the string that you are tuning. Humming it will keep the pitch in your mind.
6. Gently pluck the string and move the peg slightly and check the string by plucking it again. Hum the correct note for the string the entire time. This is the best way for beginners to tune. It forces you to constantly check the pitch of the string so that you don't over-tighten the string and also teaches you to tune the violin and keep the correct pitch in your mind at the same time.
7. Periodically check the pitch of the string against the piano or tuner to make sure that you have the correct note.
8. Move the peg in small increments to both stretch the string slowly and to slowly get close to the correct pitch. This will ensure that, even with only the pegs, you get the correct pitch.
9. Repeat Steps 5 through 7 until the string is correctly tuned.
10. Repeat Steps 4 through 8 to tune all 4 strings.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have problems with pegs slipping, remove the pegs and lightly rub them with caulk. The caulk will allow the pegs more grip so that they won't be as liable to slip.