Mrs. Moul's Orchestra Course

Start by using the fine tuners on your instrument as we have practiced at school. Remember, turning to the right raises the pitch, turning to the left lowers the pitch. Always sound the string (either through bowing or plucking) as you are tuning to avoid broken strings. Be careful that you don't tighten a fine tuner to the point that it scrapes against the top of your instrument.

Using the pegs can be more challenging but the concept is the same. Turning the peg away from you tightens/raises the pitch and turning the peg toward you lowers the pitch. Once again, always sound the string as you are tuning to avoid over-tightening and breaking a string. Start with your A string and work through the others. Double check by bowing the open strings when you are finished. If a peg is too tight and won't move, try loosening it by pulling it toward you.

Remember that string instruments are very sensitive to heat and humdity which can greatly affect tuning.