Cross tuning AEAE Tuning on Violin
Cross tuning AEAE tuning is A3 E4 A4 E5, written AEAE. Raise the G string a whole step to A3 and the D string a whole step to E4. The A and E strings stay at standard pitch.
Every frequency is computed from the MIDI number, not typed in. Each one links to its own reference page.
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Why guitarists use Cross tuning AEAE tuning
With two pairs of strings an octave apart, bowing across strings produces a continuous drone under the melody without any extra fingering. That drone is the defining sound of old-time fiddling, and it is the reason the technique exists at all.
Where you will hear it: old-time fiddle, Appalachian traditional. That list is deliberately limited to genres and playing traditions. Attributing a tuning to specific songs or players is the kind of claim that needs a source, and this page does not make claims it cannot back up.
Cross tuning AEAE compared with standard GDAE tuning
This is the table that tells you how far to turn each peg, in semitones and in hertz. A negative semitone value means the string goes down.
| String | Standard | Standard (Hz) | Cross tuning AEAE | Cross tuning AEAE (Hz) | Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4th (lowest) | G3 | 196.00 | A3 | 220.00 | +2 semitones (+24.00 Hz) |
| 3rd | D4 | 293.66 | E4 | 329.63 | +2 semitones (+35.96 Hz) |
| 2nd | A4 | 440.00 | A4 | 440.00 | unchanged |
| 1st (highest) | E5 | 659.26 | E5 | 659.26 | unchanged |
Notice that equal semitone steps are not equal hertz steps: the same whole step is worth about 9 Hz down at the bottom string and far more at the top. That is why tuners report cents, which are proportional, rather than hertz.
How to tune to Cross tuning AEAE, string by string
- Play the 4th (lowest) open and adjust until the tuner reads A3 at 220.00 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 3rd open and adjust until the tuner reads E4 at 329.63 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 2nd open and adjust until the tuner reads A4 at 440.00 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
- Play the 1st (highest) open and adjust until the tuner reads E5 at 659.26 Hz. Aim to land inside five cents.
Retune in two passes. Changing the tension on one string changes the pull on the neck, so the strings you set first will have drifted slightly by the time you finish the last one. That effect is larger the further the tuning sits from standard, so a tuning that moves four or more strings almost always needs a third pass.
Frequently asked questions
What notes is Cross tuning AEAE tuning on a violin?
Cross tuning AEAE is A3, E4, A4, E5, written AEAE. Raise the G string a whole step to A3 and the D string a whole step to E4. The A and E strings stay at standard pitch.
What are the frequencies of Cross tuning AEAE tuning?
A3 is 220.00 Hz, E4 is 329.63 Hz, A4 is 440.00 Hz, E5 is 659.26 Hz, all in twelve tone equal temperament with A4 at 440 Hz.
How many strings change compared to standard tuning?
2 of 4. the 4th (lowest) goes from G3 to A3 (up 2 semitones), the 3rd goes from D4 to E4 (up 2 semitones).
What is the lowest note in Cross tuning AEAE tuning?
A3 at 220.00 Hz, MIDI note 57. Low notes take longer for a pitch detector to lock onto, so play the string firmly and let it ring before trusting the cents reading.
More tuning references
Frequencies on this page are computed at build time from twelve tone equal temperament with A4 = 440 Hz, using the twelfth root of two (about 1.059463) per semitone. Nothing is typed in by hand. See the full method and sources. Maintained by FusionStudios. Last reviewed: .