Viola caipira tuner: Cebolão in E tuning
In Cebolão in E tuning, the courses (pairs of strings) of the viola caipira, from course 5 to course 1, are B2/B3 E3/E4 G♯3/G♯4 B3/B3 E4/E4, thick string before thin, with concert A (A4) at 440 Hz. The lowest note is B2, at 123.47 Hz, and the highest is G♯4, at 415.30 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).
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— 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 E tuning
Cebolão in E, the original key of cebolão: everything a whole step above cebolão in D, with the open strings forming an E major chord (B, E, G sharp, B, E, from the 5th course to the 1st).
Notes: B2/B3 E3/E4 G♯3/G♯4 B3/B3 E4/E4.
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 | B2 | 123.47 Hz |
| 5, thin string | B3 | 246.94 Hz |
| 4, thick string | E3 | 164.81 Hz |
| 4, thin string | E4 | 329.63 Hz |
| 3, thick string | G♯3 | 207.65 Hz |
| 3, thin string | G♯4 | 415.30 Hz |
| 2, both strings | B3 | 246.94 Hz |
| 1, both strings | E4 | 329.63 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 E tuning?
From course 5 to course 1 (thick string/thin string): B2/B3 E3/E4 G♯3/G♯4 B3/B3 E4/E4.
What is the frequency of the lowest note in this tuning?
It is B2, at 123.47 Hz (with concert A at 440 Hz). The highest is G♯4, at 415.30 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.