Violin intonation checker, every note in cents

While you play, then after

While you play, a gauge shows the distance between the note you play and the note in tune. When the series ends, every note of the score takes a colour: green if it is in tune, orange if it is a little off, red if it is out of tune. Touch a note to see its distance in cents, and whether you corrected it.

The reference a violinist uses

A tuner measures each note in equal temperament, the tuning of the piano. A violinist does not always play that way: in a double stop a major third sits about 14 cents lower than on a piano, and in a scale the leading note leans up towards its tonic. Avilo judges each exercise against the reference that suits it.

Double stops: judged against pure intervals (thirds, sixths, octaves)
Scales: melodic intonation is accepted
Your own scores: note by note, with the same rules

A tolerance for your level

A note is in tune within ±30 cents for a beginner, ±18 for an intermediate player and ±12 for an advanced one, from published measurements of violinists. A series is good when 70, 75 or 80 % of its notes are in tune, depending on your level.

Exercises built for intonation

Finger patterns: where the half steps fall, string by string
Each finger alone first, then the half steps, the extensions and the low first finger
Scales in the keys you know, then in positions
Thirds, sixths and octaves, broken then held

Avilo's Technique tab: the intonation exercises by theme, finger patterns, scales and positions

Read the guide: How to improve your violin intonation

Questions

How do I check my violin intonation?

With a tuner, one note at a time, or with an app that listens to the whole passage. Avilo shows each note's distance in cents while you play and colours the score after the series, so you see which notes are out of tune, and with which fingers.

Why is my violin intonation so bad?

Mostly because the hand has not yet learnt where the fingers go in each key and each position. It is learnt by slow practice of finger patterns and scales, checking each note with your ear, the open strings, a teacher or an app.

Should violinists practise with a tuner?

A tuner helps to find a note, but it measures in equal temperament, which violinists do not always play. Avilo uses the reference the exercise asks for, and a tolerance suited to your level.

A violin intonation checker that hears every note