When you start to become more familiar with the sound of the notes of the different strings, you can try tuning the strings against each other - this is known as relative tuning (see 'Relative Tuning' section). It is advisable to start by tuning the A string first, followed by the D, G then C strings. Remember: you may need to stop to tune halfway through a practice, especially if you are using new strings as they tend to stretch and may need tightening from the peg multiple times per practice session for the first few days. When you are tuning your viola, play the note continuously with your bow and listen carefully to the string as it tightens towards the desired pitch. This way, you prevent the string from being over-tightened. When a fine tuner has been wound right down to the end of the screw, loosen the fine tuner all the way to the end of the screw before carefully tightening the tuning peg. When tuning your viola, you should also always tune using the fine tuners when possible (if you have them - most learner violas should have fine tuners). This prevents string breakages and systematizes the process of tuning, so you eventually become more familiar with the sound of a perfect, in-tune string.

When tuning any instrument, you should always tune from below the note, up. When you tune with the peg, only move the peg a few millimetres at a time - you will be surprised at how significantly such a small turn can affect the pitch of the string! If you are beginning to tune from the peg, it is a good idea to tune with a scientific tuner to make sure you are not over-tightening the string, however with most low-end scientific tuners you will still have to be wary of attempting to tune an octave too high or too low. Beginners are usually advised not to tune with the pegs unless absolutely necessary, in order to avoid unnecessary string breakages.

When the string is out of tune by half a tone or more, then the pegs are used to tune the note initially, with the fine tuner being used afterwards to make sure the note is exactly in tune. As their name suggests, the fine tuners are used for tuning the string if the string is off-pitch by a small interval of no more than half a tone or so. If you buy a viola with only one fine tuner, you do have the option of getting the other three fine tuners installed into the tailpeice by a luthier. Some violas only have fine tuners on the A string, whereas others have fine tuners on all 4 strings. The strings of the viola are tightened or loosened to produce the right note by the pegs and the fine tuners. The viola is tuned in perfect fifths - each string is tuned an interval of a perfect fifth from the string (or strings) next to it. When you tune, think about the sound, tune, timbre, and of course the pitch of the note itself as you change the note with the fine tuners. A good musician will use the process of tuning as a switch to move from everyday thinking into “practice mode.” If you are a beginner, you can do this too, by using the tuning process to really listen to your viola. It is important to think of the process of tuning in itself as not just an act to get the instrument ready for playing, but to get your ears and mind in tune too. However it is still important to have a tuner on hand, especially when playing with others. More advanced violists are encouraged to teach themselves to tune by ear, where the violist listens for the perfect fifth interval between two strings when playing them together to tune. This engagement makes it easier to translate written music on the page into the right sound. For beginners especially, tuning helps engage the ear with the specific sound and frequency of the intended note. Making sure your instrument is well tuned is important for musicians of every level.

Viola tuner education