Violin Reference Tones – G D A E at 440 or 442 Hz

Play a string

Tap a string to hear its note, tap again to stop. No microphone needed.

A4

Violin (G D A E)

Viola (C G D A)

Cello (C G D A)

Volume

Loop every 4 seconds Play one octave higher (for small speakers)

These violin reference tones play the exact note of each open string, so you can tune by ear without a microphone. Standard violin notes are G3 at 196.00 Hz, D4 at 293.66 Hz, A4 at 440.00 Hz and E5 at 659.26 Hz. Pick 442 to hear the slightly higher orchestra pitch.

Violin
String	Note	Hz @440	Hz @442
4	G3	196.00	196.89
3	D4	293.66	295.00
2	A4	440.00	442.00
1	E5	659.26	662.25

Viola
String	Note	Hz @440	Hz @442
4	C3	130.81	131.41
3	G3	196.00	196.89
2	D4	293.66	295.00
1	A4	440.00	442.00

Cello
String	Note	Hz @440	Hz @442
4	C2	65.41	65.70
3	G2	98.00	98.44
2	D3	146.83	147.50
1	A3	220.00	221.00

Tips for tuning by ear

Start with the A, then tune D, G and E.
Listen for beating, the slow wobble when two notes are close but not equal. Slower wobble means closer.
Many players check the other strings against the A by playing two neighbouring strings together and listening for a clean, still fifth.
With a microphone, the violin tuner is faster.

Questions and answers

How do I tune by ear with these tones?

Play a tone and bow the same open string. If you hear a slow wobble (beating), the two notes are slightly apart. Turn the fine tuner slowly; the wobble gets slower as you get closer and stops when the string is in tune.

Why do the tones change when I pick 442?

All four notes are calculated from the A. At A = 442 Hz every string is slightly higher, about 8 cents, which is the pitch many orchestras use.

Are the tones exact?

Each tone is synthesised in your browser at the frequency shown in the table, in equal temperament. No sound files are downloaded.

More violin tools

Last updated October 23, 2026.