Fiddle talk - VIOLIN DISCUSSION FORUM - Playing the violin

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Tuning compared to piano

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Tags: equal temperment just intonation

gStretch

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August 30, 2011 - 8:48 pm

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ok so the piano is tuned with equal (12 tone) temperment. my piano said that F# and Gb were different on the violin. so do violinists use 19 tone equal temperment or do they adjust the position for every key as in just intonation?

-g

myguitarnow

Laguna Beach

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August 30, 2011 - 9:04 pm

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Pianos need to be tuned too. I wouldn't listen to your piano if it is talking to you gStretch.

What is really cool about the violin, if a string does drop out of key a bit you can adjust your fingers to get that note in tune. You can't do that with a piano can you gStretch ;-)

gStretch

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August 30, 2011 - 9:23 pm

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hahha oops, piano teacher.

thats true.

but when you're playing do you use a different placement for sharps and flats?

-g

myguitarnow

Laguna Beach

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August 30, 2011 - 9:33 pm

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No.

Fiddlerman

Fort Lauderdale

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August 31, 2011 - 4:11 am

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There is supposedly a difference and this is why the piano will never be a perfectly tuned instrument. However if you can play your violin as much in tune as a piano you should be extremely satisfied.

We use the same fingerings but can sometimes use a different finger based on which note comes before or after in a pattern. For example if you were to play an F# on the D to a C natural on the A you may be better off using the 3rd finger on the F# to avoid sliding the second finger up. Especially when these notes are played quickly and repeatedly.

Made a very simple example:

"The richest person is not the one who has the most, but the one who needs the least."

myguitarnow

Laguna Beach

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August 31, 2011 - 5:58 am

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Don't even ask why I'm up at 2:30am ;-) (I'll tell u – I got a call tonight to be at the studio tomorrow with a download link to a song to work on right now) I'm on break right now trying to wake up – asking my wife to get the coffee started ;-)

This a great topic though…It is really pronounced when a piano and a string instrument are out of tune together. I like digital keyboards to record with because you can mess with the tunings. But they're s nothing better than the sound of acoustic instruments. I really understand when you need to change your finger patterns based on the next phrase coming up. And using sliding techniques where you will end up with a different finger to start a new musical phrase.

Ok all you Fiddlermen and women… Time to drink coffee and write some guitar parts for Los Angeles Center Studios. heart