Tune a viola from A4 down to C3
Use a centered bow stroke and wait past the scratch at the beginning of the note. Starting from A4 gives the ear a clear reference before moving through D4, G3, and the lower C3.
- Select A4 and hold an even open-string tone until the cents display settles.
- Continue through D4 and G3, stopping neighboring strings from ringing as you move.
- Finish on C3, then return to A4 for a short second check after the bridge and strings have shared the new tension.
Viola open strings with octave labels
The viola uses C3, G3, D4, and A4 from its lowest open string to its highest. The octave labels distinguish its lower range from a violin display.
Read the middle of a bowed viola note
Bow pressure and speed can bend the attack before the string settles. Judge the pitch during the steady middle of the stroke, using the sign and meter direction to decide whether to raise or lower the string.
Private viola analysis without an uploaded recording
When permission is granted, this tab reads the live microphone stream locally through the shared engine. Buffers are discarded as the display updates and are never uploaded.
Viola Tuner Online questions
These viola questions cover octave identity, bow noise, target selection, and reference-tone practice.
Why is the viola C string labelled C3?
The octave label identifies the intended low open string instead of another C that a general chromatic display might show.
Should I start tuning on C3 or A4?
A4 usually produces a clear reference quickly; after setting it, work downward through D4 and G3 to C3, then check A4 again.
What if the meter jumps during the bow change?
Ignore the instant when the bow reverses. Use one steady section of the stroke or pluck the string for a shorter, cleaner reading.
Can I tune the viola silently first?
The Hear buttons play C3, G3, D4, and A4 without opening the microphone, so you can compare by ear before using live detection.
Stopping or leaving the viola tuner ends the live stream. The page stores no bowed audio.