Online viola caipira tuner
In Cebolão in D tuning, the courses (pairs of strings) of the viola caipira, from course 5 to course 1, are A2/A3 D3/D4 F♯3/F♯4 A3/A3 D4/D4, thick string before thin, with concert A (A4) at 440 Hz. The lowest note is A2, at 110.00 Hz, and the highest is F♯4, at 369.99 Hz. On courses 5, 4, 3, the thin string sounds an octave above the thick one; on courses 2, 1, both strings play the same note (unison).
–
— Hz — cents
Tap “Turn on tuner” and allow the microphone.
On octave pairs, the upper string is the thin one and the lower string the thick one. Tune one string at a time, muting the other one of the pair with a finger.
Viola caipira tunings
Cebolão in D tuning
Cebolão in D: the open strings form a D major chord (A, D, F sharp, A, D, from the 5th course to the 1st). On the three lower courses the thin string sounds an octave above the thick one; on the two higher courses both strings are the same.
Notes: A2/A3 D3/D4 F♯3/F♯4 A3/A3 D4/D4.
How to tune the viola caipira
The viola caipira has 10 strings in 5 courses (pairs). On the three lowest courses (5th, 4th and 3rd), both strings play the same note in different octaves: the thin string sounds an octave above the thick one. On the two highest courses (2nd and 1st), both strings are the same. Tune one string at a time, muting the other one of the pair with a finger: first the thick string, then the thin one. The tuner shows the octave number next to the note, and that number is what confirms the pair: in cebolão in D, the 5th course has A2 on the thick string and A3 on the thin one. Finally, play the pair together: if the sound wobbles, one of them is still off. Changing tuning changes the tension on every string; makers sell dedicated sets for cebolão in D, cebolão in E and Rio Abaixo.
Notes and frequencies of each string
| Course | Note | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| 5, thick string | A2 | 110.00 Hz |
| 5, thin string | A3 | 220.00 Hz |
| 4, thick string | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 4, thin string | D4 | 293.66 Hz |
| 3, thick string | F♯3 | 185.00 Hz |
| 3, thin string | F♯4 | 369.99 Hz |
| 2, both strings | A3 | 220.00 Hz |
| 1, both strings | D4 | 293.66 Hz |
How to use it
Tap “Turn on tuner”, allow the microphone and play one open string at a time. The tuner recognises the string and shows whether to tighten it (it is flat) or loosen it (it is sharp). Tap a string name to lock onto it and hear the reference note.
Frequently asked questions
What are the open-string notes of viola caipira in Cebolão in D tuning?
From course 5 to course 1 (thick string/thin string): A2/A3 D3/D4 F♯3/F♯4 A3/A3 D4/D4.
What is the frequency of the lowest note in this tuning?
It is A2, at 110.00 Hz (with concert A at 440 Hz). The highest is F♯4, at 369.99 Hz.
How do I tune the viola caipira?
The viola caipira has 10 strings in 5 courses (pairs). On the three lowest courses (5th, 4th and 3rd), both strings play the same note in different octaves: the thin string sounds an octave above the thick one. On the two highest courses (2nd and 1st), both strings are the same. Tune one string at a time, muting the other one of the pair with a finger: first the thick string, then the thin one. The tuner shows the octave number next to the note, and that number is what confirms the pair: in cebolão in D, the 5th course has A2 on the thick string and A3 on the thin one. Finally, play the pair together: if the sound wobbles, one of them is still off. Changing tuning changes the tension on every string; makers sell dedicated sets for cebolão in D, cebolão in E and Rio Abaixo.
Does the tuner work offline?
Yes. After the first visit (or once installed as an app), the pages open without a connection and pitch detection happens on your device.
What are cents?
A cent is one hundredth of a semitone. Up to 5 cents off is barely audible; the needle turns green in that range.
Can I change the reference A?
Yes: the − and + buttons set A4 anywhere from 430 to 450 Hz, to play along with a piano or a recording tuned differently. Your choice is saved.
Does the microphone record what I play?
No. The sound is analysed on the fly, inside the browser, and is never recorded or sent anywhere.