Fine Tuners and Pegs on a Violin
Which one to turn, which way, and how far.
Fine tuners are the small screws on the tailpiece; they make small changes. Pegs are in the peg box at the top of the violin; they make big changes. Use the fine tuner when a string is a little off, and the peg when it is far off or the fine tuner has run out of thread.
Fine tuners
- Clockwise raises the note, anticlockwise lowers it.
- Small turns: a quarter turn is often enough.
- Keep them near the middle of their range.
Pegs
- Turn a little and push the peg gently into the peg box at the same time.
- Loosen slightly below the note, then tune up to it.
- Hold the violin steady, for example on your lap.
Tuning with a peg, step by step
Set the fine tuner to the middle
That leaves room for fine adjustment afterwards.
Turn the peg in small steps
Pluck the string while you turn and watch the tuner. Push the peg inwards so it holds.
Finish with the fine tuner
Bring the needle to the centre with the fine tuner.
Check the bridge
Turning pegs pulls the top of the bridge towards the fingerboard. If it leans, ask your teacher or a violin maker to straighten it.
Violin tuner
The tuner needs JavaScript and a microphone. The note table and frequencies below work without it.
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Or tune by ear with the reference tones, or tap a string button below to hear its note.
Questions and answers
Does every violin have four fine tuners?
No. Many student violins have four, often built into the tailpiece. Many other violins have only one, on the E string, and the other strings are tuned with the pegs.
My fine tuner will not turn any further. What do I do?
It has reached the end of its screw. Turn it back to the middle of its range, then bring the string to pitch with the peg, and finish with the fine tuner. Do not force it; a fine tuner screwed fully in can touch and mark the top of the violin.
Why does my peg slip?
Pegs hold by friction. Push the peg gently into the peg box while you turn it. If it keeps slipping or sticks hard, ask a violin maker; it may need fitting or peg compound.
More violin tools
- Online violin tunerTune with your microphone
- Reference tonesTune by ear
- How to tune a violinFor beginners
- 1/2 and 3/4 violinsSame notes, smaller size
- Viola and cello tunerC G D A
- A = 440 or 442 HzWhich pitch to use
- Online guitar tunerSister site for guitar
- Online bass tunerSister site for bass
Last updated October 23, 2026.