Cello Tuner 442 Hz
Many orchestras, conservatories and youth orchestras tune the A to 442 Hz, slightly above the 440 standard. This page opens the cello tuner already at 442 Hz: the four strings, C G D A (C2 G2 D3 A3), sit about 8 cents higher than at standard pitch, and the reference tones you can play sound at 442 too. Bow an open string and the tuner works out which one it is.
String notes and frequencies
Cello tuning, standard (4 strings): C2 G2 D3 A3, from 65.70 Hz to 221.00 Hz, with A4 = 442 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| String 4 | C2 | 65.70 |
| String 3 | G2 | 98.44 |
| String 2 | D3 | 147.50 |
| String 1 | A3 | 221.00 |
How to use it
- Tap Turn on microphone and allow access. Reference A is already set to 442 Hz.
- Start with the A, the 1st string, using a long, steady bow until the needle sits in the middle, at 221 Hz.
- Go on to D, G and C. Use the fine tuners for the last few cents and the pegs only if a string is far off.
- When you finish, check the A again: tightening the other strings often pulls it down a little.
Help and explanations
If your group tunes to 440 or 443 Hz, change Reference A and all four strings are recalculated at once. The value you choose is saved on your device for next time.
Cello notes at 442 Hz
The cello's A string is A3, an octave below the orchestra's A: with A4 = 442 Hz it sounds at 221 Hz instead of 220. From the 4th string to the 1st: C2 65.70 Hz, G2 98.44 Hz, D3 147.50 Hz and A3 221.00 Hz. The difference from 440 is the same on every string, about 7.85 cents, but on the C it is only about 0.3 Hz: that is why it pays to watch the cents, not the hertz.
At rehearsal the oboe usually gives the A. Tuning at home to 442 gets you within a couple of cents of the group and saves time once everyone sits down.
Who tunes to 442, and tuning in fifths
442 Hz is common across continental Europe and in many conservatories and youth orchestras elsewhere; some ensembles go to 443, while 440 remains the international standard. If you play with a piano, ask what it was tuned to, since a hall's piano is usually tuned to match its orchestra.
Tuning by ear in fifths works the same at 442: set the A with the tuner, then play D and A together until the beating stops, and so on down. Pure fifths are about 2 cents wider than the tuner's, so the C ends up about 6 cents below zero. That is fine in a string section; with piano, keep the G and C closer to the center.
Tips
- If the tuner doesn't catch the low C, move the phone closer to an f-hole and bow with more weight, near the bridge.
- After tuning up, check that the bridge still stands straight: tightening the strings pulls its top toward the fingerboard.
- New strings stretch for a few days; retune to 442 before every rehearsal.
- To hear a steady A at 442 Hz, use the tone generator.
Frequently asked questions
What frequency is the cello's A string at 442?
221 Hz. The cello's A string is A3, one octave below the A4 of 442 Hz.
What are the cello string frequencies at A = 442 Hz?
C2 65.70 Hz, G2 98.44 Hz, D3 147.50 Hz and A3 221.00 Hz, from the 4th string to the 1st.
Why do orchestras tune to 442 Hz?
Each orchestra sets its own A, and many, above all in continental Europe, settled on 442 or 443 for a slightly brighter sound. 440 Hz remains the general standard.
How big is the difference between 440 and 442 Hz?
About 7.85 cents on every string, less than a tenth of a semitone. Playing alone you barely notice it, but a cello at 440 sounds slightly flat against an orchestra at 442.
Should I practice at home at 442?
If you mostly play in an orchestra that uses 442, yes. For practice with a piano or recordings, 440 is the usual choice: switch Reference A whenever you need to.
Is there a 442 tuner for violin and viola?
Yes: the violin tuner at 442 Hz, and in the viola tuner you can choose 442 Hz under Reference A.