Standard (CGDA) Tuning
Tune your viola to Standard (CGDA) — C3, G3, D4, A4
About Standard (CGDA) Tuning
Standard viola tuning (C3-G3-D4-A4) uses perfect fifths between each string, identical in interval structure to the violin but pitched a perfect fifth lower. The viola has served as the inner voice of the string quartet since the form was established by Haydn in the 18th century, and virtually all orchestral, chamber, and solo viola music is written for CGDA. The C string gives the viola its distinctive dark warmth that distinguishes it from the brighter violin, while the A string provides enough upper range for expressive melodic passages.
The perfect-fifth intervals between strings create strong sympathetic resonance across the instrument. When a note is played on one string, the other strings vibrate in sympathy, adding depth and complexity to the tone. The viola's larger body — typically 15.5 to 17 inches compared to the violin's 14 inches — amplifies these resonances, producing the rich, throaty sound that composers from Mozart to Bartok have prized for its emotional expressiveness. The alto clef, which the viola reads as its primary clef, centers the staff around middle C, placing the instrument's range squarely in the middle of the musical texture.
Most violists tune to A4 = 440 Hz as the reference pitch, matching the standard concert pitch used by orchestras worldwide. Some period-performance ensembles tune lower, typically to A = 415 Hz for Baroque repertoire. The A string is tuned first using a tuner or reference pitch, and then the remaining strings are tuned in perfect fifths downward: A to D, D to G, and G to C. Because the viola's thicker strings take longer to settle, new strings may require several days of retuning before they hold pitch reliably.
String Notes
Recommended Strings
String choice has a profound effect on viola tone and playability. Dominant strings by Thomastik-Infeld are the most widely used among students and professionals, offering a warm, flexible tone with good projection and reasonable stability. Pirastro Evah Pirazzi strings provide a brighter, more powerful sound preferred by soloists. Larsen strings are popular for the A string specifically, offering a clear, singing quality on the highest string. Steel-core strings such as Helicore are more affordable and stable but produce a less complex tone. Gut-core strings yield the warmest, most nuanced sound but require more frequent tuning and are sensitive to humidity.
How to Tune to Standard (CGDA)
- 1.Begin with the A string (the thinnest string). Use a chromatic tuner or tuning fork to tune it to A4 (440 Hz). This is your reference pitch — all other strings are tuned relative to A.
- 2.Tune the D string by bowing the A and D strings together. Listen for a pure perfect fifth — when in tune, the interval will ring clearly with no wavering or beating between the two notes.
- 3.Tune the G string by bowing the D and G strings together. Again listen for a clean perfect fifth. The G3 should produce a rich, full tone with noticeable depth.
- 4.Tune the C string by bowing the G and C strings together. The C3 is the lowest and thickest string on the viola, and it should produce a dark, resonant tone. Listen carefully for the pure fifth — the C string's lower pitch can make beating harder to detect.
- 5.Recheck all fifths in sequence (C-G, G-D, D-A). Tuning one string changes the tension on the instrument's top, which can pull other strings slightly out of tune. It typically takes two or three passes through all four strings to achieve stable tuning.
Best Keys for Standard (CGDA)
C Major
The most natural key for viola. The open C string serves as the tonic, and the scale uses all four open strings freely. Many pedagogical works and etudes for viola are written in C major.
G Major
Brilliantly resonant on viola — the open G and D strings ring as the tonic and fifth. A large portion of the viola chamber music repertoire sits comfortably in G major, taking advantage of the instrument's middle register.
D Major
Bright and projecting. The open D and A strings provide natural anchor points, and the key allows the viola to sing in its upper register with clarity and warmth.
C Minor
A powerful, dark key on the viola. The open C string provides the tonic as a deep foundation, and the minor tonality plays to the viola's naturally warm, melancholic character. Bach's Cello Suite No. 5, often transcribed for viola, uses this key to great effect.