Viola caipira tuner: Rio Abaixo tuning
In Rio Abaixo tuning, the courses (pairs of strings) of the viola caipira, from course 5 to course 1, are G2/G3 D3/D4 G3/G4 B3/B3 D4/D4, thick string before thin, with concert A (A4) at 440 Hz. The lowest note is G2, at 98.00 Hz, and the highest is G4, at 392.00 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
Rio Abaixo tuning
Rio Abaixo: the open strings form a G major chord (G, D, G, B, D, from the 5th course to the 1st). One of the most common viola caipira tunings, of Portuguese origin.
Notes: G2/G3 D3/D4 G3/G4 B3/B3 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 | G2 | 98.00 Hz |
| 5, thin string | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 4, thick string | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 4, thin string | D4 | 293.66 Hz |
| 3, thick string | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 3, thin string | G4 | 392.00 Hz |
| 2, both strings | B3 | 246.94 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 Rio Abaixo tuning?
From course 5 to course 1 (thick string/thin string): G2/G3 D3/D4 G3/G4 B3/B3 D4/D4.
What is the frequency of the lowest note in this tuning?
It is G2, at 98.00 Hz (with concert A at 440 Hz). The highest is G4, at 392.00 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.