**Online Viola Tuner | Cebolão em Mi | Cantivy**

> Use the online viola tuner to check all five courses in Cebolão em Mi, understand phone pickup, and change tunings safely with confidence.

Fonte: https://cantivy.com/en/tools/online-guitar-tuner/viola-caipira-tuner/ · idioma: en

— внутри лист резал бы собственный контент, и семантика
страницы для краулера была бы неверной. -->

[Tools](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/) / [Tuner](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/online-guitar-tuner/) / viola caipira

# Viola caipira Tuner *free online*

Ten strings arranged in five pairs. Each tuning has its own name and repertoire, so changing tunings is like changing accents. Tune by microphone without installing anything — the page reads the sound on your own device.

String:

E3 5 B3 4 E4 3 G#4 2 B4 1

—

waiting for microphone

Frequency — Hz

Deviation — cents

Target note —

Start

Could not access the microphone. Check your browser permissions.

## viola caipira Tunings

There are 4 tunings in use. Choose the one your repertoire calls for — changing the tuning changes what feels easy and what becomes impossible to play.

### Cebolão in E

The most common in música caipira and cururu. The open pairs form E major.

*String frequencies: viola caipira, Cebolão in E tuning*

| Pair | Note | Scientific | Frequency |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 5th | E3 | E3 | 164.81 Hz |
| 4th | B3 | B3 | 246.94 Hz |
| 3th | E4 | E4 | 329.63 Hz |
| 2th | G#4 | G#4 | 415.30 Hz |
| 1th | B4 | B4 | 493.88 Hz |

### Cebolão in D

A whole step below Cebolão in E, more comfortable for lower voices.

*String frequencies: viola caipira, Cebolão in D tuning*

| Pair | Note | Scientific | Frequency |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 5th | D3 | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 4th | A3 | A3 | 220.00 Hz |
| 3th | D4 | D4 | 293.66 Hz |
| 2th | F#4 | F#4 | 369.99 Hz |
| 1th | A4 | A4 | 440.00 Hz |

### Rio Abaixo

G tuning. Traditional in moda de viola and cateretê.

*String frequencies: viola caipira, Rio Abaixo tuning*

| Pair | Note | Scientific | Frequency |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 5th | D3 | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 4th | G3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 3th | D4 | D4 | 293.66 Hz |
| 2th | G4 | G4 | 392.00 Hz |
| 1th | B4 | B4 | 493.88 Hz |

### Natural

Also called C tuning. Used in instrumental repertoire.

*String frequencies: viola caipira, Natural tuning*

| Pair | Note | Scientific | Frequency |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 5th | D3 | D3 | 146.83 Hz |
| 4th | G3 | G3 | 196.00 Hz |
| 3th | C4 | C4 | 261.63 Hz |
| 2th | E4 | E4 | 329.63 Hz |
| 1th | A4 | A4 | 440.00 Hz |

*Each string (viola caipira, Cebolão in E tuning) plotted on a logarithmic axis. Dashed lines mark octaves: where two strings fall between the same lines, they are less than an octave apart. Equal temperament, A4 = 440 Hz. Figure by Cantivy — free to reuse with a link to this page.*

*The neck (viola caipira, Cebolão in E tuning) through fret 12. Natural notes are highlighted — this is the pattern to memorize, not each fret separately. Positions calculated from the tuning, not from a fixed table. Figure by Cantivy — free to reuse with a link to this page.*

1. 01 How to tune a viola by microphone in under a minute
2. 02 Why the viola goes out of tune, and what you can prevent
3. 03 Viola tunings and when to switch between them
4. 04 Strings, tension, and the difference a new set makes
5. 05 When the tuner will not stabilize: noise, pickup, and old strings
6. 06 How to keep the tuning stable between rehearsals
7. 07 5-minute checklist to use today
8. 08 Summary

You have the viola in your lap, your phone open, and need to put all five courses in place. Cantivy's online viola tuner helps you check each course through your device's microphone, with the page open in your browser. The main reference is Cebolão em Mi, used in Brazilian country music, as well as arrangements that take advantage of highly resonant open strings.

In a common Cebolão em Mi reference, the courses may correspond to B2, E3, G#3, B3, and E4, approximately **123.47 Hz**, **164.81 Hz**, **207.65 Hz**, **246.94 Hz**, and **329.63 Hz**. The order and octave may vary depending on the string set, the viola's construction, and the chart chosen by the player. Use the frequencies on the screen as a working reference, not as a measurement certificate.

The screen may indicate that a string has reached close to its target, but your ear still needs to check the pair. Two nearly identical strings produce a pulse between them. A tuning peg may return a few cents after being pulled. The microphone may hear a fan, television, or pick attack before it captures the sustained note. In the sections below, you will find a 5- to 10-minute procedure for tuning, changing setups, and keeping the result consistent from one rehearsal to the next.

## 01How to tune a viola by microphone in under a minute

Place the viola in a stable position. Keep the phone about 20 to 40 centimeters from the instrument's soundhole without touching the top. Close videos, calls, and apps that might compete for the microphone. Turn down the television, fan, and conversation. In a quiet room, the tuner receives a cleaner note.

Start with Cebolão em Mi and follow the order shown in the chart. Play one course at a time. Mute the other four pairs with your right hand or with a light cloth over the strings. Use your finger or a soft pick. Strike with medium force and wait 1 to 2 seconds for the note to sustain before turning the tuning peg. A strong pick attack can raise the reading at first and lead you to loosen a string that was already close.

If the note is low, raise it slowly toward the center of the indication. If you go past the point, loosen it slightly and tension it again. Reaching the note while tuning upward usually reduces slack in the tuning peg. Make adjustments of approximately a quarter turn or less. After each correction, play again and wait for the reading to stabilize.

Check the two strings in the course separately. Only then play the pair together. The indicator may accept a small difference, but your ear reveals a quick pulse, like a tremor in the sound. Adjust one of the strings in tiny movements until the pulse decreases. Make a final check of all five pairs, because a change in tension in one course can shift another.

To practice a strumming pattern between 60 and **72 BPM**, also open the [online metronome](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/online-metronome/). Play four beats per measure and check the viola at the beginning and end of 5 minutes. Cantivy's [tools](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/) bring together this tuner and other resources to get your browser ready before rehearsal.

## 02Why the viola goes out of tune, and what you can prevent

The viola goes out of tune because of a combination of tension, friction, temperature, and movement. When you tighten a course, the bridge, saddle, nut, and tuning peg receive a new force. The string also settles at its contact points. If the strings were changed only a few hours ago, this settling appears more intensely.

Your picking attack matters. A strong pick stroke makes the note rise at the initial instant. A sideways touch displaces the string and changes the microphone reading. Excessive finger pressure against the fingerboard also raises the note, especially in open chords and barre shapes. Press only enough for the note to sound without buzzing. Test the setup with the same touch used in a country-style viola tune, a country strumming pattern, or worship accompaniment.

Do a simple test today. Tune all five pairs. Play for 5 minutes at a tempo between 70 and **80 BPM**. Stop for 30 seconds and check again. If the drop always appears in the same course, inspect the tuning peg and contact points. If several courses drop together, investigate temperature, string settling, or storage.

Keep the viola away from windows with direct sunlight, hot trunks, steamy kitchens, and damp walls. Do not leave the neck pressed against the case or rest the instrument on the strap. After transporting the viola, wait 10 to 20 minutes before the final check. In a room that went from 18 °C to 28 °C, the tuning may respond differently even without an obvious failure.

Before playing a progression such as I–V–vi–IV, use the [chord generator](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/chord-generator/) to test the shapes without squeezing your hand more than necessary. This helps you separate three problems: a string out of tune, a shape that strains the hand, or excessive pressure during playing.

## 03Viola tunings and when to switch between them

Each viola tuning has its own relationship among the five pairs. Cebolão em Mi usually provides bright open strings and favors chords with plenty of resonance. It frequently appears in Brazilian country music, including introductions, melodic picking, and accompaniment patterns in which the bass string continues to ring.

Rio Abaixo tuning follows a different accompaniment logic. It may require adaptation in the right hand and more control of the open strings to keep the chord from becoming muddy. The other options in the chart also have their own uses. Choose the setup according to the repertoire, the vocal range, and the shape used in the lesson or chord chart. Do not choose one only because a note seems easier to reach.

Before changing, write down the current tuning on paper or in your phone. Also record the note for each course and the direction in which each tuning peg must turn. Make the change one course at a time. After reaching the new setup, play for 3 to 5 minutes, check again, and only then begin practicing. If the strings are old, avoid repeated changes between Cebolão em Mi and Rio Abaixo during the same rehearsal.

If you received a chord chart or video lesson, check the caption before copying the shape. A shape that works in Cebolão em Mi may produce a different chord in Rio Abaixo. To study a sequence of country-style tunes, a country song, or an MPB introduction, write the tuning name at the top of the page and mark the courses that remain open.

[Chord progressions](https://cantivy.com/en/chord-progressions/) help you understand harmonic function, but they do not replace checking the open strings. To practice listening away from the device, also see the guide on [how to tune by ear](https://cantivy.com/en/learn/how-to-tune-guitar/). Begin by comparing the tonic and fifth in slow intervals, without trying to identify all five pairs at once.

## 04Strings, tension, and the difference a new set makes

A new set changes the viola before it changes your sound. The strings need to settle, and the five pairs may stabilize at different rates. For that reason, the first tuning after a string change is almost never the last. Tune, play for 5 minutes, gently pull each string upward at three points along its length, and check again. Use little force. The pull is meant to seat the string, not stretch it abruptly.

Let the strings settle with the viola supported and your fingers away from the tuning pegs. After each round, compare the reading from before and after. If the same course drops repeatedly for more than 3 or 4 checks, stop tightening without investigating. The tuning peg may be slipping, the string may be wound incorrectly, or the contact point may have friction.

String gauge changes the feel of the hand and the pressure on the instrument. A heavier set may provide a firm response, but it requires more force for barre chords and chord changes. A lighter set may make bends and legato easier, but it reacts more to picking attack and finger pressure. The choice depends on the scale length, setup, tuning, and your touch. Do not mix pairs with different specifications without knowing how this will affect tension.

Pay attention to string age. Old strings lose brightness, collect sweat, and may create uneven contact points. Sometimes the tuner indicates a nearby note, but the sound remains undefined. In a steady country strumming pattern, a pagode groove adapted for viola, or a forró accompaniment, this loss appears in the attack and sustain.

After installing a new set, check the nut, saddle, and tuning pegs if the tuning continues to slip for several days. If there is buzzing, a note dies at a specific fret, or there is a persistent difference between the open string and the same string when fretted, see a luthier. Do not correct saddle or nut height with sandpaper without measuring the problem.

## 05When the tuner will not stabilize: noise, pickup, and old strings

If the indicator keeps jumping, reduce the environmental noise before touching the tuning peg. Turn off the fan, pause the television, and move away from a window facing the street. Bring the device closer to the viola's soundhole, but keep it 20 to 40 centimeters away so the sound does not saturate. Play one string at a time and mute the other pairs. In noisy places, a smaller room with curtains and fewer hard surfaces usually makes the reading easier.

The microphone in a phone or computer does not capture every register equally well. The lowest string may appear with a delay. A high string may be masked by pick-attack noise. Play closer to the soundhole, with medium intensity, and let the note sustain for 2 seconds. If the reading freezes, stop the string with your palm, wait a moment, and strike again.

The tuner depends on the device's pickup and the conditions in the room. The reading should not be treated as a laboratory measurement. Use three confirmations: an indicator close to the note, a sustained sound without dominant noise, and a pair with little pulsing when played together. If only one of these conditions appears, repeat the test before turning the tuning peg.

When a string has buzzing, an irregular metallic sound, or a note that dies quickly, investigate the instrument before insisting on the app. There may be dirt at the contact points, saddle wear, a seating problem, or an old string. Compare the open string with the same string fretted at the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets, if the fingerboard allows it. If the difference persists or a strong oscillation appears, see a luthier.

To check a viola's tuning alongside a six-string guitar, open the [guitar tuner](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/online-guitar-tuner/), but keep the correct reference for each instrument. The viola has five pairs and should not be tuned as if it had the six single strings of a standard guitar.

## 06How to keep the tuning stable between rehearsals

When you finish, do not put the viola away immediately after an intense performance. Mute the strings, wait 3 to 5 minutes, and do a quick check. If you tuned to Cebolão em Mi, record the setup you used and avoid turning the tuning pegs out of habit. When switching to Rio Abaixo or another tuning, make the change calmly and return to the previous tuning only when the repertoire calls for it.

Use a case that protects against dust and sudden changes without squeezing the instrument. Do not rest objects on the neck. Wipe sweat from the strings and metal parts with a dry, soft cloth after playing. Do not apply household products to the top, bridge, or fingerboard. If the viola sits unused for 2 or 3 days, check the tuning before playing and again after 5 minutes of warm-up.

Create a 6-step rehearsal routine. First, reduce the noise. Second, check the five pairs separately. Third, play the pairs together. Fourth, perform the main groove at a comfortable tempo. Fifth, check the chords that place the most pressure on the hand. Sixth, do one final check before recording or playing with other people.

If the group is working on a samba entrance, a forró arrangement, or a worship song, use samba and Cantivy's other materials as rhythmic reference support. For a pagode groove, start between 72 and **88 BPM**. For a country-style melodic picking study, start between 56 and **68 BPM**. Tuning works best when your hand, ear, and microphone evaluate the same playing situation.

## 075-minute checklist to use today

1. **Minute 1:** open the page in your browser, allow microphone access, and move the phone 20 to 40 centimeters away from the viola's soundhole.
2. **Minute 2:** mute four pairs and play the first course with medium force. Wait 2 seconds before adjusting.
3. **Minutes 3 and 4:** repeat the procedure for the other four courses. Reach the notes from below and make small movements at the tuning pegs.
4. **Minute 5:** play each pair together, listen for pulsing, and check again the course that dropped the most.

If the reading remains unstable, do not increase the force of the attack. Change locations, turn off noise sources, and test another distance from the device. If a string continues to sound irregular, compare the open string with the same string at a higher fret and record the result before seeking maintenance.

## 08Summary

- Open the page in your browser, allow microphone access, and reduce fan, television, conversation, and traffic noise.
- Use 20 to 40 centimeters as the starting distance between the device and the viola's soundhole.
- In Cebolão em Mi, check each string separately and then listen to all five pairs together.
- Play with medium force and wait 1 to 2 seconds before correcting the tuning peg.
- Reach the note from below. If you go past it, loosen slightly and tension it again slowly.
- Choose the tuning according to the repertoire and write down the setup before changing it.
- After changing the strings, tune, play for 5 minutes, gently pull the strings, and check again.
- If the reading fluctuates, test the room, distance, attack, old strings, and contact points before suspecting the app.
- See a luthier when the same string slips for several days, develops an irregular sound, or changes significantly between the open string and a fretted note.

## Frequently asked questions

What is the main viola tuning on this page?

The main reference is Cebolão em Mi, used with five pairs of strings. In a common arrangement, the courses correspond to B2, E3, G#3, B3, and E4, approximately **123.47 Hz**, **164.81 Hz**, **207.65 Hz**, **246.94 Hz**, and **329.63 Hz**. The order and octave may vary depending on the strings and the viola. Check the tool's chart before playing, since the reading depends on the device's microphone and the condition of the strings.

Can I tune a viola with my phone?

Yes. Open the tuner in your browser, allow microphone access, and play one pair at a time. Keep the phone about 20 to 40 centimeters from the instrument's soundhole. Reduce television, fan, and conversation noise. The result depends on the device's pickup, so confirm the reading by playing the course again and listen to both strings together.

What does cebolão tuning mean?

Cebolão tuning is the name given to traditional viola configurations that use five pairs of strings and favor certain open chords. Cebolão em Mi is one of the best-known forms. The name does not indicate only the notes. It also points to a specific way of accompanying, distributing bass strings, and organizing the repertoire.

What is the difference between Cebolão em Mi and Rio Abaixo?

The difference lies in the relationship among the five pairs, the tension, and the shapes available to the hand. Cebolão em Mi usually favors an open, bright response. Rio Abaixo has a different sonic arrangement and requires adapting the chords, grooves, and control of the open strings. Always check the tuning indicated by the chord chart or lesson before copying a shape.

Why does a viola go out of tune right after the strings are changed?

New strings are still settling at the tuning peg, bridge, and contact points. The pairs may also stabilize at different rates. Tune, play for 5 minutes, gently pull the strings at three points along their length, and check again. If the problem continues for several days, examine how the string was wound, the setup, and the tuning pegs.

What should I do when the tuner keeps jumping?

Start by reducing noise and muting the other pairs. Play with medium force and let the note sustain for 2 seconds. Bring the device near the viola's soundhole without touching it or saturating the microphone. If it is still unstable, compare the open string with the same string fretted at the 5th, 7th, and 12th frets when the fingerboard allows it. Old strings, saddle wear, or friction at the nut can also cause inconsistent readings.

Should I tune both strings in a pair at the same time?

No. First check each string separately to find out which one is out of tune. Then play both together and listen for the pulse between them. If there is a quick wavering in the sound, the pair is still misaligned. Adjust one string in small movements, wait 1 or 2 seconds, and take a new reading.

Can temperature change the viola's tuning?

It can. Changes in temperature and humidity affect the wood, strings, and contact points. Avoid direct sunlight, hot trunks, and damp places. After transporting the viola, wait 10 to 20 minutes before the final check. During long rehearsals, check at the beginning and again after 5 minutes of warm-up.

When should I change the viola's strings?

Change them when the sound loses brightness, the tuning becomes difficult to stabilize, rough spots appear, or a string begins to die quickly. Frequency depends on use, hand sweat, and repertoire. If you play 3 to 5 times a week, monitor the instrument's response at each rehearsal. Do not wait for a string to break before evaluating the set.

Does the tuner replace checking by ear?

No. Use the app to locate the note and your ear to check the relationship between the two strings in each course. Play the strings separately, observe the indication, and then play the pair together. A quick pulse shows that a difference still exists, even when the indicator appears close to the center.

Can I switch between tunings several times during the same rehearsal?

You can, but do so carefully. Write down the initial setup, change one course at a time, and check all five pairs after 3 to 5 minutes of playing. Many consecutive changes increase the strings' settling time and make it harder to tell whether a tuning peg is slipping. If you frequently alternate between Cebolão em Mi and Rio Abaixo, keep a record of the notes and strings used.

## Tuner for other instruments

[acoustic guitar Tuner 6 strings · 5 tunings](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/online-guitar-tuner/)[cavaquinho Tuner 4 strings · 2 tunings](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/online-guitar-tuner/cavaquinho-tuner/)[ukulele Tuner 4 strings · 3 tunings](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/online-guitar-tuner/ukulele-tuner/)[bass Tuner 4 strings · 3 tunings](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/online-guitar-tuner/bass-guitar-tuner/)[electric guitar Tuner 6 strings · 3 tunings](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/online-guitar-tuner/electric-guitar-tuner/)[violin Tuner 4 strings · 1 tuning](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/online-guitar-tuner/violin-tuner/)[cello Tuner 4 strings · 1 tuning](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/online-guitar-tuner/cello-tuner/)[mandolin Tuner 8 strings · 1 tuning](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/online-guitar-tuner/mandolin-tuner/)

After tuning, set the tempo with the [online metronome](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/online-metronome/),
build the shapes with the [chord generator](https://cantivy.com/en/tools/chord-generator/), and explore the
[progressions that support Brazilian repertoire](https://cantivy.com/en/chord-progressions/).

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