Victor Lawrence Cello

Tuning: A Cellist’s Perspective

Tuning, Tuners and Hz

Why tune from the A-string down to the C-string? Why not begin on the C-string?

A cellist’s perspective 

  • Orchestras and chamber music ensembles tune to A-natural. An A-string is common among string instruments in an orchestra or chamber group. A-natural has been the standard tuning note for centuries. 
  • It is most efficient to tune the strings in succession as much as possible and not jump from A to G or C strings. 
  • The cello does not use equal-tempered tuning like the piano. The harmonic series requires the cellist to use the ear to fine-tune the fifths of the open strings. When using a mechanical tuner, the lower strings will sound sharp if the strings are tuned precisely to match the tuner. It is sometimes necessary to tune the low strings to precisely match a tuner, but the advantage of tuning strings top-down in succession is still present.

Tuner App

Why 440 Hz?

In the Renaissance and Baroque musical periods, the frequency for A-natural was 415-425 Hz or lower. The frequency gradually moved up to 440 Hz by the late 19th century. Today, American orchestras tune to A442 and European orchestras tune to A444. 

Most studio orchestras recording movie scores still tune to A440 because they are required to match the pitch of pre-recorded digital sounds that are tuned to A440.

Practicality

Cellists, through repetition, should learn to hear perfectly tuned fifths of the open strings, then use harmonics for fine-tuning. A tuner is helpful for finding the A-natural tuning note. A mechanical tuner is an excellent tool for practice as well, as long as it’s used deliberately and in moderation.


Note: Pianists will often play a D minor chord surrounding the tuning A to provide context for string players to hear the A more clearly.


For comparison, two recordings of the same piece using different tunings:

Bach Suite No. 2 in D minor as recorded by Anner Bylsma using Baroque tuning.

Bach Suite No. 2 in D minor as recorded by Yo-Yo Ma using modern A440 tuning.

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