Pipa tuner online (A D E A)
This pipa tuner uses the common tuning A2 D3 E3 A3, written A d e a, or 6 2 3 6 in jianpu in C. From thickest to thinnest, the four strings are called chanxian, laoxian, zhongxian and zixian (4th to 1st string), and the tuner uses their four notes to recognize which one you play.
String notes and frequencies
Pipa tuning, A d e a (common) (4 strings): A2 D3 E3 A3, from 110.00 Hz to 220.00 Hz, with A4 = 440 Hz.
| String | Note | Frequency (Hz) |
|---|---|---|
| String 4 | A2 | 110.00 |
| String 3 | D3 | 146.83 |
| String 2 | E3 | 164.81 |
| String 1 | A3 | 220.00 |
How to use it
- Tap Turn on microphone and allow the browser to use it.
- Check that the tuning is A d e a (the default).
- Play one open string and let it ring: the string the tuner recognizes lights up, and when the needle stays in the middle and turns green it is in tune.
- flat: tighten means turn the peg to raise the note; sharp: loosen means lower it. Friction pegs hold by pressure, so push the peg in gently as you turn.
- Pick a string to lock the target, then press Play to hear the reference. Auto in the settings goes back to automatic detection.
Help and explanations
The 4th and 1st strings are an octave apart, while the 3rd and 2nd strings are only a whole tone apart: the easiest place to go wrong. A second preset, G d e a, lowers only the 4th string a whole tone, as in Liu Dehai's arrangement of Liuyang River.
The four notes of pipa tuning
Chanxian A2 (110 Hz), laoxian D3 (146.8 Hz), zhongxian E3 (164.8 Hz), zixian A3 (220 Hz). When you finish, check the intervals: chanxian to zixian is an octave, laoxian to zixian a perfect fifth and zhongxian to zixian a perfect fourth. Sweep the four open strings together: the sound should be clean, with no clashing.
Pipa and its relatives
The Vietnamese đàn tỳ bà comes from the same family but is usually tuned C3 F3 G3 C4, so use its own page. Playing in a Chinese ensemble with guzheng or erhu? Agree on the reference A before anyone tunes.
Tips
- Tune the zixian (A3) first, then the chanxian an octave below, and finally the laoxian and zhongxian.
- The laoxian and zhongxian are only a whole tone apart: check which string the tuner lit up before you turn a peg.
- The thin zixian stretches the most when new: retune before going on stage and after changing strings.
- Before playing in an ensemble, confirm its reference; A = 442 Hz is common, see the 442 Hz tuner.
Frequently asked questions
What are the four notes of pipa tuning?
From the 4th to the 1st string: A2, D3, E3, A3 (A d e a), or 6 2 3 6 in jianpu in C.
How do I tune pipa strings 1 to 4?
String 1 (zixian) A3, string 2 (zhongxian) E3, string 3 (laoxian) D3, string 4 (chanxian) A2.
What does pipa tuning 6 2 3 6 mean?
It is the four open strings written in jianpu with 1 = C: 6 = A, 2 = D, 3 = E, 6 = A, the same notes as A d e a.
How is the pipa tuned for Liuyang River?
Liu Dehai's arrangement uses G d e a: lower the 4th string from A to G and choose G d e a in the tuning list.
Can I tune a pipa with a regular tuner?
Yes, but you have to remember each string's target note. This page is already set to the pipa tuning and shows which string you are playing.
Is there a pipa tuner app?
No download is needed: the pipa tuner opens in the browser of your phone or computer, and the sound is analyzed on your device.