Violin String Notes

The violin has four strings tuned in fifths: G, D, A and E, from lowest to highest.

The four strings

An easy way to remember them

From lowest to highest: Good Dogs Always Eat. The lowest string, G, is the thickest and sits on the left as you look at the violin from the front.

Why fifths?

Each string is a perfect fifth (seven semitones) above the one below it. That spacing lets a player reach every note in first position using four fingers, with each open string continuing where the fourth finger leaves off.

First position notes on each string

These are the finger patterns for the D major scale area, the first pattern most beginners learn. Low second finger gives F and C natural instead.

Same tuning on other instruments

The mandolin uses the same G D A E tuning as the violin. The viola is tuned a fifth lower (C G D A), and the cello an octave below the viola. You can tune them on our sister site's viola tuner and cello tuner.

Ready to tune? Use the violin tuner.

Frequently asked questions