How To Finger Accurately And Play In Tune.

Section links: Intro Tuning Straight Wrist Hand Form Finger Placement Minimum Finger Movement Third Finger "Secret" Exercises

Tuning to a pitchpipe, or another fiddle:

There are several ways to approach tuning your open strings, and it doesn't matter much how you go about it -- as long as you do it, and get it right.

The easiest approach for beginners is to use a violin pitch pipe. You can get one at any well-equipped music store, or on line, for a few bucks; and it is money well spent. The problem with the pitch pipe is that it makes a reedy sound, like a harmonica, that doesn't sound much like a fiddle string. Some people find it easier to hear and tune to another fiddle. Just in case that's you, here are the 4 strings played on my fiddle:

E string A string D string G string

Get all 4 strings pretty close using the tuning pegs (the black pegs just under the scroll at the end of the neck). Then use fine tuners to finish the job and get the pitch exactly right on each string.

I recommend using fine tuners on all 4 strings, but not everyone agrees. Some classical violinists feel they detract from the tone of a fine instrument. In my experience, it is the rare fiddler who will notice a difference (if indeed there is one). I like the fine tuners because the pegs are notoriously hard to turn on old fiddles (they get worn and sticky) and in general it is tough to tune accurately using the pegs alone.

Tuning with a fork:

I use a fork to tune. I find that I can hear it more accurately than anything else. This video demonstrates how to use the fork to tune the whole fiddle.

If it looks like I'm going to quite a bit of trouble here, I am; but I want you to see the whole process.
This is pretty much what you have to go through when you change strings, because new strings stretch. They'll drive you crazy until they settle in, after a day or two.
Once your strings get used to being on your fiddle, they'll stay pretty stable. When you need to tune, you'll probably just need your fine tuners.

Electronic tuning aids:

You can buy several kinds of gadgets that will "listen" as you play a string and tell you if it is in tune or not. These can be useful, especially when you are in a noisy room (think crowded bar--your usual Irish session venue) and you can't hear your own instrument very well.