GDAE Violin Tuner

GDAE Violin Standard - Violin tuning, chords & scales

Description - Violin Standard

The tuning G-D-A-E is used for most violin music. Other tunings are occasionally employed; the G string, for example, can be tuned up to A. The use of nonstandard tunings in classical music is known as scordatura; in some folk styles, it is called cross-tuning. One famous example of scordatura in classical music is Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre, where the solo violin's E string is tuned down to E flat to impart an eerie dissonance to the composition. Another example is in the third movement of Contrasts, by Béla Bartók, where the E string is tuned down to E flat and the G tuned to a G sharp, or the set of pieces called the Mystery Sonatas by Biber.

The Violin Standard tuning, G-D-A-E, is the foundational tuning for most violin music. This classic arrangement of perfect fifths provides a rich sonic palette for various musical expressions. While primarily used for the violin, understanding this tuning can offer insights into other string instruments that utilize similar intervals.

Technical Analysis

This tuning consists of four strings tuned as follows:

String 4 (Lowest): G2 (196 Hz)
String 3: D3 (293.66 Hz)
String 2: A3 (440 Hz)
String 1 (Highest): E4 (659.25 Hz)

The intervals between successive open strings are all perfect fifths: G2 to D3 (7 semitones), D3 to A3 (7 semitones), and A3 to E4 (7 semitones). This consistent interval structure is characteristic of the violin family and allows for efficient melodic and harmonic playing across the instrument's range. While not typically thought of in terms of "open chords" like on a guitar, the open strings themselves form a series of perfect fifths, which are fundamental to the instrument's sound.

How to Tune to Violin Standard

To achieve the Violin Standard tuning, follow these instructions for each string:

String 4 (G2): Tune down 7 semitones. Given this significant downward adjustment, consider using a thicker gauge string to maintain optimal tension and tone.
String 3 (D3): Tune down 5 semitones. This is a substantial downward adjustment, so a thicker gauge string might be beneficial for best performance.
String 2 (A3): Tune down 2 semitones.
String 1 (E4): Keep as is; no change (0 semitones).

As mentioned in the original description, nonstandard tunings (scordatura or cross-tuning) are occasionally used to achieve unique tonal qualities, such as tuning the E string down to E flat for an eerie dissonance, as seen in Saint-Saëns' Danse Macabre, or the G to G sharp as in Bartók's Contrasts. These variations highlight the versatility of the violin beyond its standard tuning.

String 4 (Lowest): G2

String 3: D3

String 2: A3

String 1 (Highest): E4