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Okay, so I've been getting to know my first violin with the Korg CA-1 ($15) that I purchsed when I picked up the instrument. Today while doing an online exercise, I noticed that my E-string was WAY off from what she was playing online. The Korg says it was in tune. Just for a test, I downloaded the "GStrings Tuner" app for my Android phone. Low-and-behold, it said the E-string was off, and after tuning it to the app, my sound matched the professional sound in the video.
Now, one thing I noticed is that the Hz differed on the Android app for each string. The Korg, however, defaults to 440Hz, and doesn't change with the string you play. You can change it manually, but there's no guide for doing that.
So... am I correct in thinking that I've wasted $15 on the Korg, since I'm a beginner and don't know the correct Hz? And that I should stick to the app? (Which works GREAT in 3 different modes!)
Thanks for your input!
Cheers,
Christina
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In the settings menu of that G strings app (I have it and use it all the time, love it!) you can change the initial tune from standard (?) to Orchestra tuning if you like or anywhere else for that matter. Just look in setting s and you'll see what I'm talking about.
"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
Honorary tenured advisor
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Probably there is nothing wrong with your tuner.
There are a couple of issues.
The first is the definition of middle A. Often or usually it is 440 Hz. It sounds like your tuner lets you redefine A. Changing that would shift the whole scale up or down. That setting is not supposed to change with the string you are tuning. It may change with the band or orchestra or recording that you are playing along with. For example, if you were accompanied by a piano, you would tune your violin to match the piano. Piano strings stretch, and their pitch gets lower over time, and it is hard to retune them. The situation is the same when playing with a harp or organ or anything that is hard to retune. But if you were playing along with a guitar, you would probably both use A=440. Playing with an orchestra, you might need to use some other A, say 443 or 442. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert_A
The second issue is whether you use equal temperament tuning. If you tune each string using the tuner directly, you are tuning in equal temperament. The alternative is to first tune your A string and then tune your other strings by ear relative to your A string. The two methods disagree slightly.
When you make both of those choices different from whoever or whatever you are trying to play along with, somebody will likely be able to hear something wrong. But it may not make a difference if a violin player has a good ear and never plays open strings.
What does your tuner say about the tones at http://www.get-tuned.com/onlin....._tuner.php ? I find that it agrees with my tuner when I set A=440.
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I have three tuners on the go usually.... and most of the time they don't agree.
I use Audio Tuner and PitchPerfect Musical Instrument Tuner on my laptop and gstrings on my phone.
I find all of them don't like it when I play the note using my bow, tending to ignore or telling me I am way too high or too low. So I usually have to pluck the string, holding the violin as close as possible to the laptop/phone.
PitchPerfect Musical Instrument Tuner will tune open strings, but it also tells you what note you are playing, so you could theoretically use it to find E on the A string.
And if you have to significantly tune one string, tunning it to the right note will also affect the other strings. I learned that the hard way. I think my hearing is starting to come back.
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If you want a tuner that you can use while playing which is easy to see I would go with this one: http://fiddlershop.com/sona-3-.....tm501.html
It uses vibrations and is pretty quick and accurate as well.
Obviously use your ears as much as possible but this will help you initially. The app that Dennis is referring to is great too but not as practical. If you have a smart phone it's free
Have a look at "insTuner Lite" as well. Another great tuner app....
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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wow, I love that tuner !! very cool Pierre, I can see one in my future
There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
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You bet Barry. It makes life a bit simpler. Also has a metronome built into it.
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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Fiddlerman said
You bet Barry. It makes life a bit simpler. Also has a metronome built into it.
I love my old wind up wittner metronome..never cared for the digital click sound..but the tuner on the scroll, now thats a tool I can use
There is no shame in playing twinkle, youre playing Mozart
Is there a tuner out there that can be read easily in dim light? My small KORG is shaded and at a bad angle if I put it on the music stand. It is easier to read if it is layiing flat but where is that ? I think my tuners are all liquid crystal.
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Oliver said
Is there a tuner out there that can be read easily in dim light? My small KORG is shaded and at a bad angle if I put it on the music stand. It is easier to read if it is layiing flat but where is that ? I think my tuners are all liquid crystal.
This tuner can be used in pitch black. 
"The richest person is not the one who has the most,
but the one who needs the least."
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