Welcome to our forum. A Message To Our New and Prospective Members . Check out our Forum Rules. Lets keep this forum an enjoyable place to visit.
Log In
Register
Home
Topic RSS
(0 votes) 
Regular advisor
Regulars
Offline
I haven't figured out a way to strike the fork on my knee and then bow the A string before the ringing stops. Its less convenient than simply pressing the button on the electronic tuner to start the drone. The fork needs to be close to the ears...not sure what is the correct procedure.
Honorary advisor
Regulars
Offline
You need to mount the tuning fork on a resonating cavity, i.e. a hollow block of wood that resonates and amplifies the forks vibrations, much as a violin body resonates to the vibrating strings. You strike the fork with the soft mallet to set it into vibration.
Here is an example of such ..
Honorary tenured advisor
Regulars
Offline
What's a tuning fork? I do use a cheep electronic tuner. Almost tone deaf anyway.
Regulars
Offline
springer said
What's a tuning fork? I do use a cheep electronic tuner. Almost tone deaf anyway.
Pardon?
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
Regular advisor
Regulars
Offline
Crazymotive, thanks for that but the biggest problem I have is the short duration of the vibrations. By the time I pick up the instrument and bow, the ringing has stopped
Honorary advisor
Regulars
Offline
Composer said
Crazymotive, thanks for that but the biggest problem I have is the short duration of the vibrations. By the time I pick up the instrument and bow, the ringing has stopped
Ah, okay... I see what you mean. The tone dies down quick as the vibrations dampen. Over the years I've tuned to pitch pipes, piano keys, other instruments, electronic and computer tuners, my own strings, but I've never actually tuned via a tuning fork. I assume you're tuning fork is an A/440 ? Only thing I can think of is perhaps if you can manage to keep the violin in playing position with the bow close at hand, strike the fork and very quickly grab the bow and compare your note to the tuning forks. Or perhaps you can get a sense of intonation by plucking the string and comparing to the fork rather than bowing. I used to tune that way sometimes.
Beyond that I am not sure. Perhaps Fiddlerman or another experienced violinist can give some suggestions. I would be curious to learn more about using a tuning fork as well.
Regulars
Offline
after you strike the fork, place it next to the violin it will resonate throught the violin get a tuning fork with a ball on the end and hold it against the violin with your left hand while drawing the bow across the A.
Thats what I use to do before i started using FM s tuner on line.
No matter where you go, there you are!
Regular advisor
Regulars
Offline
I usually use the piano for the G then just open tune the other strings by ear. I pluck the string. This allows me to make a quick adjustment while the violin is in a position that will allow me to tume it. In my limited experience, this also gives me a more accurate tune. Using the bow pulls the string sharp and if i'm not perfect on my draw it can be a hair off.
Also, it will help you to sing the note you are tuning. Hit the tuning fork, humm or sing the note while you tune. it will help your ear and help you keep that refference for tuning.
Regular advisor
Regulars
Offline
Latebloomer, my left hand is already occupied with turning the pegs. I think it is reasonable to expect a continuous tone while tuning the 'A' because Ruggiero Ricci advocates the use of open string drones in the beginning phase of left hand development. eg. he advocates single finger glissando scales on one string along with a reference tone to measure against. I just don't know what professional players actually typically do without oboe, piano on the road?
I use tuning fork! 
ordered it on fiddlershop.com 
Nice thing!
Honorary tenured advisor
Regulars
Offline
If I had to use a tuning fork I would probaly quit because like Terry Im kind of tone hindered. I use an electronic tuner and am saved by it, and it came with my violin. Not that they are expensive. That is the only way I am able to tune my violin and I still have trouble ( like tuning an octave to high).
Regulars
Offline
springer said
" ( like tuning an octave to high).
oops, you can get through a lot of E strings that way, lol
I am amazed at how old people of my age are.....
Honorary tenured advisor
Regulars
Offline
After about 10 weeks of playing and a lot of tuning I still have not broken an E string. I have replaced one but no broken ones.
Offline
A real interesting conversation here.
As far as the resonating box goes, I agree. If you can attach it to a box so that it resonates you get a definite advantage. Lot's of professional orchestras have those mounted back-stage even though we get our A from the oboe.
I actually don't use anything when I tune but I have the A memorized.
My online tuner is actually a better solution because it keeps on sounding until you either stop it or go to another string.
What you should all do is strike the tuning fork and remember the pitch as long as you can. In other words try to extend your pitch memory capabilities. These things are kind of built into all of us but like every other skill and muscle, need to be developed. Try my intonation game as well. There is more time between notes when you do the advanced level for prolonged pitch memory. Which gives me an idea..... I should make a pitch memory game 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
A tuning fork also works well to see how your instrument sounds without any influence from bowing. Strike the tuning fork and place it on the bridge.
Fiddlerman said
... I should make a pitch memory game
YoooooooooooHooooooooooo!!!
Yes!!! That would be great!!!!!!!!!
Offline
Mad_Wed, you should hang out on the shoutbox. Lot's of nice Smileys there.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
Regulars
Offline
Fiddlerman said
Mad_Wed, you should hang out on the shoutbox. Lot's of nice Smileys there.
ROTFLMAO.... YOU ARE GOOD.... That was awesome.....LOL
"If you practice with your hands you must practice all day. Practice with your mind and you can accomplish the same amount in minutes." Nathan Milstein
Fiddlerman said
Mad_Wed, you should hang out on the shoutbox. Lot's of nice Smileys there.
Does it mean You'll make a game =) ?
/hanging her head, leaves the room -.-/ this little shoutbox will not survive my smile-attac ... =/
Offline
No Naska, I might make a game but I'm talking about the shoutbox to the right on every page here. You are never there. At least I have never seen you there so far. FIDDLE CHAT ----------->
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
1 Guest(s)
Mouse
ELCBK
Fiddlerman