RESOURCES
TUNING YOUR INSTRUMENT TUTORIAL
Click on video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldJqhktJWoU
TIPS
1. You can download ANY free tuner to your computer or phone.
2. Make sure that it is chromatic for strings and that you are tuning to 440 (if option is available)
3. Turn the pegs SUPER slow. They make big changes very easily and this is usually when strings break.
4. Do not over turn past the pitch. If you are not sure, loosen a bit and come back up to the pitch.
5. If fine tuners are all the way down, pull them out to about the middle and slowly move peg.
6. If your strings are really loose the bridge will tilt.
7. The bridge is only held up straight with tension so it is important that if you make BIG changes with peg that you carefully straighten out the bridge (see video on straightening bridge).
8. Try to make sure the tension of all strings is even across or the bridge will move.
9. Never loosen all the strings and take off bridge to clean. The sound post on the inside MAY fall.
10. Don't over turn fine tuners or they will get stuck.
11. Make sure you are sitting and that you are anchoring your hand to turn the pegs.
12. WHEN YOU TURN THE PEGS: Push in slightly (not too much or you will have to pull it out) AND turn; the peg is in a V shape at the end and needs to get stuck to stay.
13. If you turn without pushing, peg will go completely lose and you will have to start over slowly.
14. If the string completely goes loose and comes out of the peg hole slowly thread it the way you would a needle and begin to wind it. Try to avoid the string overlapping. Instead try to thread it so it falls in a line. (look at other pegs for reference.
15. Keep an eye out for the string at the bottom. It must be hooked to tailpiece as you begin to turn.
16. If one string is VERY out of tune, you will have to go back and re-tune the others as you finish one string.
17. Temperature will affect your instruments' tuning. Keep it at standard room temperature. Larger instruments are more sensitive to changes in temperature.
Click on video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldJqhktJWoU
TIPS
1. You can download ANY free tuner to your computer or phone.
2. Make sure that it is chromatic for strings and that you are tuning to 440 (if option is available)
3. Turn the pegs SUPER slow. They make big changes very easily and this is usually when strings break.
4. Do not over turn past the pitch. If you are not sure, loosen a bit and come back up to the pitch.
5. If fine tuners are all the way down, pull them out to about the middle and slowly move peg.
6. If your strings are really loose the bridge will tilt.
7. The bridge is only held up straight with tension so it is important that if you make BIG changes with peg that you carefully straighten out the bridge (see video on straightening bridge).
8. Try to make sure the tension of all strings is even across or the bridge will move.
9. Never loosen all the strings and take off bridge to clean. The sound post on the inside MAY fall.
10. Don't over turn fine tuners or they will get stuck.
11. Make sure you are sitting and that you are anchoring your hand to turn the pegs.
12. WHEN YOU TURN THE PEGS: Push in slightly (not too much or you will have to pull it out) AND turn; the peg is in a V shape at the end and needs to get stuck to stay.
13. If you turn without pushing, peg will go completely lose and you will have to start over slowly.
14. If the string completely goes loose and comes out of the peg hole slowly thread it the way you would a needle and begin to wind it. Try to avoid the string overlapping. Instead try to thread it so it falls in a line. (look at other pegs for reference.
15. Keep an eye out for the string at the bottom. It must be hooked to tailpiece as you begin to turn.
16. If one string is VERY out of tune, you will have to go back and re-tune the others as you finish one string.
17. Temperature will affect your instruments' tuning. Keep it at standard room temperature. Larger instruments are more sensitive to changes in temperature.
STRAIGHTENING YOUR BRIDGE TUTORIAL
Click on video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K-V87kgrrlM
TIPS
- Make sure you keep contact with the bridge at all times. Secure with both hands in a seated position.
- Step back and look at it every change you make to check the changes.
- Bridges must be perpendicular to the body and stand straight up with tension only.
- Look at the feet of the bridge to make sure they line up right over the perforations that were already there from before.
- Do not try to move the bridge without loosening all the pegs a bit (simultaneously).
- Carefully loosen all the pegs (each a little at a time) to loosen pressure on the bridge to be able to move it.
- Make sure that they instrument is firmly secure when you make all movements.
- Make sure the feet of the bridge are flat and touching the body on all sides.
- You can use a very thin sheet of paper to check if the bridge feet are flat. It should not be able to go through as you check the feet with the paper.
- All movements need to be done very slowly.
- As bridge is straightened, pegs should be slowly tightened and bridge needs to be continually adjusted along
- the way until the strings are tuned all the way across.
Popped string or need supplies?
There are many choices online since most local stores are closed. Here are a few for reference:
Southwest String
https://www.swstrings.com
Sharmusic
https://www.sharmusic.com/
Amazon
https://www.amazon.com
PML Solo Search for S and E
If you are looking to get ahead you can look for a Solo for next year and already start to work on it! It helps especially if it is challenging.
ALL solos must be on the Prescribed Music List as set by TMEA. If you want to know if your piece is on the list or if it a Grade 1 solo click on the link to search. Fill in the areas and search by difficulty level (1 is hardest) or composer etc. .
Some of the solos ARE on Smartmusic and you can start to look at already to see if you like it.
Here is the link:
https://www.uiltexas.org/pml/
If you are looking to get ahead you can look for a Solo for next year and already start to work on it! It helps especially if it is challenging.
ALL solos must be on the Prescribed Music List as set by TMEA. If you want to know if your piece is on the list or if it a Grade 1 solo click on the link to search. Fill in the areas and search by difficulty level (1 is hardest) or composer etc. .
Some of the solos ARE on Smartmusic and you can start to look at already to see if you like it.
Here is the link:
https://www.uiltexas.org/pml/