Tuning Tricks

 Violins do not stay in tune.

It is an inescapable fact.  The strings stretch, and continue to do so until they wear and break - and then you start again with new strings.

The strings are anchored at two points - the peg, and the adjuster - or tailpiece, if not using an adjuster. The tail end - tail or adjuster - are quite stable, but the pegs are not.

FACT - strings will never go sharp on their own, as that requires an increase in tension.

Strings will always go flat as they stretch, and the peg eases back slightly.  This can be caused by changes in the air temperature, as well as a stretch response to the string tension.  Warm air will cause the strings to soften slightly, and the wood expands. Also, low humidity can cause the wood to dry slightly, with a slight shrinkage resulting. Combined, these can cause the peg to loosen slightly, easing off tension on the string.

So, How to set up and adjust strings...

PEGS:

1.    The peg must be lubricated.  This can be as simple as rubbing a pencil lead around the wood, as the lead is actually graphite mixed with clay.

2.  The strings should be wound from the anchor hole back towards the peg hole. As winding increases, the string pushes against the pegbox, pulling the peg into the hole, helping to secure it against slippage.

TIP:  If you cannot easily grip or turn the pegs, use a peg-winder.  These fit over the peg, and give both a secure grip and increased leverage to turn sticky pegs.  They can be bought online and in music stores - guitarists always carry them.  Just ask for a string winder, no need to bother with naming the instrument.

ADJUSTERS:

The common adjusters are simple levers. As you tighten the screw, it pushes down on the angled lever which pivots, pulling the string tighter.

As a rule, it should never be screwed right down at its tightest.  The lever becomes perilously close to the violin, and if you have a low bridge the lever can impact with the violin face, both scratching it and causing a buzzing rattle when you play the instrument.

FACT:  The scroll is not purely decorative.  If you do not use adjusters on the lower strings, you must tune using the pegs.  The scroll acts as an anchor for your hand while you use your thumb and forefinger to turn the peg.

Useful tool:    Smart phone.  Install a tuner app.  There are many free ones available.  

SET UP:

The adjusters should be barely screwed in, through to moderate tension only.  To correctly set up the peg-adjuster combination:

1.  Ease off the peg

2.  Tighten the adjuster until it is just over half-full tension

3.  Turn on the phone tuner app of your choice.

4.  Tighten the string using the peg until it is slightly sharp

5.  Ease off the adjuster until the string is in tune.

The adjuster should now be on the lower side of tension, so as the string continues to stretch and go flat, you can easily tune it up using the adjuster.

Note that if you reach a point where the adjuster is screwed right down, reset the peg-adjuster combo using the steps above.  This way, until the string is totally stretched, or if the peg slips (warm, or dry air) you can keep the instrument tuned using the adjusters only.