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Tuning Violin in Western Music

From Keerthi Bandara
Posted October 29, 2008 at 10:04 PM

As far as I know western violin is tuned for G-D-A-E (i.e. how strings are named). This might be Pa-Re-Dha-Ga in hindustani. But I have seen some people interpret this in different ways (like Ma-Sa-Pa-Re).

I'd be grateful if someone can clear this for me.

Then tune the second string a perfect fifth lower, the first string a perfect fifth below the second string, and the fourth string a perfect fifth above the third string. You should be able to hear the interval of a perfect fifth when you play two open strings together. It's very resonant and therefore should be an easy interval to hear even if it doesn't occur in Hindustani music. If you follow that procedure, the strings will be tuned to G, D, A, E in the Western system.

I hope this is what you are looking for and isn't too elementary for you. Good luck!

Bill, your explanation is very helpful. I think the best way to go is take fresh start without comparing two systems(i.e Indian classic and western).

Thanks again.

Bart

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hindustani_classical_music

From this article, it appears that the letter-names for the notes are like the western solfege system in that they don't refer to fixed pitches but rather to degrees of a scale that can start on any tonic pitch.

Keerthi, in tuning the violin according to the Western system, the pitches (frequencies) of the notes are more or less fixed. The standard tuning is generally A=440, and all the other notes are determined with reference to that pitch. You can tune the A somewhat higher or lower than the 440 pitch--in the 18th century, for example, the standard is said to have been significantly lower, with A=415 being an approximate norm. But the important point is that you don't retune the instrument to play in different keys--you just play different notes. (There are some instances where a retuning of one or more strings to different pitches is called for, particularly in early music, but this is rare and you can ignore it for all practical purposes.)

I hope this isn't too confusing, but after I read the Wikipaedia article it seemed important to stress that you shouldn't retune the instrument to play in different keys. Let us know if you need clarification.

If you're intent on learning the Western system of playing the violin, it would be helpful to get a scale book to master scales for the different keys. There are many different fingerings for each of the twelve major and twelve minor scales, and in playing real music you will discover new fingerings that will allow you to play passages more easily or to phrase the music better or to bring out different tone colors, but learning at least one fingering for each scale would be helpful.

http://www.get-tuned.com/violin_tuner.php

I logged into the site after a long time. Sometimes people may not see this post. But anyway thank you all for the given explanations.

Hello,

I am just starting to learn Violin. Western violin tuning is same how guitar strings are tuned and Indian method of tuning guitar is different.

I am learning guitar for around 2 and half years. What would be better for me to learn, Indian violin or western one?

Thanks ,

Chinmay

Can you find Indian violin instruction in Massachusetts?

I am from India. The registration page was not allowing me to enter indian state and I entered MA.

Keerthi - Here is a system that will help you learn where the notes are on the fingerboard:

http://www.fingerboardworkbookseries.com

Smiles! Diane

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.bork.dsp.datuna

I think of a "rag" as emerging from a magic river, doing some wonderful pirouettes, and then returning to its source. Western music has lost its bearings and changes its "Sa" at will, endessly spinning; but we have "harmony", which can help to ensure sensuality and spirituality in a rather godless world..