I miss when my teacher would tune our violins for us. I remember when I was 10 my mom and I attempted and it snapped and I think I’ve been too traumatized since lol
My parents don’t know how to tune violin neither how to play violin, only my violin teacher does so until I have my violin classes, im stuck with a violin that is not tuned ;-; At least I can still practice though XD I am also just looking at this video so i can see if i can try to tune it myself
Same experience my teacher tuned my violin every time, I attempted once alone and since then I am afraid in case the hordes snapped. I thought when I grew up it will be fine to do it alone, and then I became an adult but every time I need to tune my violin because I have nobody to do it for me I never hold it to my shoulder I have the fear that the strings will snapped and cut my face for some weird reason! 😥
@@blueberrybob5662 download an app. Also watch some videos on how to tune your violin put on a new string things like that there's four or five or six very good ones on TH-cam
FINALLY a video where you can actually hear the "beats" of the dissonant notes, and them going away as the string goes into tune. This is SO helpful - I'm going to practice this right away! Excellent video!
Anneke Metz thanks for your comment! I thought it would be good to show that sound and you proof me right. To hear the „ beats“ a good bow stroke is needed though. Sometimes beginners to tuning by ear struggle with that. Good luck 😉
This is good. I recently bought a Violin and I'm a beginner. The first problem I'm encountering is tunning . I need more of this lesson. Then also on how to learn to play this beautiful instrument. Thanks.
I opened my new beginner violin and broke a string and bridge on the first day. Lol I was trying to tune it like a guitar turning the pegs 3x over. This video is so helpful!
@si james Things like that happen! it's really just a way of learning through failure. That's why no one should start playing a Stradivari in their early years ;)
Yeah lol I had a $100 violin so I figured out that was the problem. I upgraded to an electric acoustic and have been practicing phantom of the opera songs now with no issues thank goodness 😅
3:16-3:21 yes! As previously mentioned commented re: my respect towards your methodology, now I again compliment you for examining/explaining "clearly" what,; most other TH-cam "teachers" fail at. That is, the diagram which so clearly teaches (why) a "perfect fifth" is used for tuning. The humor is appreciated @ 3:16-3:21 it was just so unexpected considering how seriously I must work to learn these concepts. Thanks for reminding me you're still human, & not 'just' a wise instructor.
That was very cool & unexpected haha! I didn't know anything about "interwalls" b4 beside octaves & fifths. As for tuning with a piano out of tune & the different tunings for chamber music I just can't understand why instruments aren't tuned the same?
Very nice and cleanly explained. Thank you I learn Carnatic music, a traditional art form, on my violin, the tuning is different from your tuning. In our music, in concerts, the violinist accompanies the vocalist, so the violin is tuned accordingly. But your video helped me to understand the things better. Thanks once again.
Really informative video! I've watched a lot of others and had the information in bits and pieces to tune my violin at home but this one really helped me connect the dots together.
Thank you, you explained it very well. It was very helpful when you showed the difference between how it sound right and wrong, Oh and the trick with figuring out if the string is tuned too high or too low - also very useful. Again, thank you very much!
Thank you!!! I did orchestra (4/4 Violin) for 3 years in middle school, and before our teacher showed us how the tuning with pegs work, he moved to a different school and our new orchestra teacher refused to teach us even a small tidbit on how to use them properly. I moved away and my new highschool didn't have an orchestra so I had a hard time playing when my violin refused to tune using just the lower pegs.
He probably didn't know how and rather than embarrass himself made out that he was refusing to teach you. Did you ever see him tune his violin with the pegs himself in front of you ??
Hi. Could you please demonstrate on tuning the E string that is very sensitive and might break anytime while tuning? How should one take care of the E string professionally?
how to tune with fine tuners I covered in a different video. I think it is actually quite easy compared to tuning with the pegs. If you have to change your e-string or for whatever reason have to put a new e string on, just make sure the fine tuner is in his lowest (by note) position and then you tune the e-string approximately to the correct pitch, but a little bit under it. Then do the rest with the fine tuner! New E-Strings tend to stay in tune very easily, because they are basically just a wire. Just use the fine tuner.
Hello! Ever since I gotten a new intermediate violin tuning with the pegs has been a difficult task. I’ve broken 3 strings and the bridge while tuning the past year because I believe the way I tune is wrong. Whenever I tune with the pegs, they would be hard to turn and turn by themselves rlly fast until they are very loose. When I tighten them again, something breaks. Not to mention the bridge moves when I tune. Do you recommend anything?
Sorry I am so late on your comment: restringing a violin isn't easy. Properly fitted pegs are rather easy to tune though. Especially as a beginner. Peg soap can also be a great help!
I got a question. My “A” string won’t tune up when I use the pegs. I try to move the pegs higher but then it immediately goes down again and so on. How do I fix this?
Thank you for your question. There are different options: 1. let the pegs be fitted by the violin maker. 2. Check if the winding is "correct" so that the tension of the string pulls the peg inwards in the pegbox. 3. Apply some chalk on the peg. That way it sticks better, but is also harder to turn. I hope that helps! You can follow up with a question any time. Good luck!
I can help you so first think is it micro (small) adjustment, or a macro (big) adjustment bc the pegs are for big adjustments and the tiny things that look like nails you build with, for micro adjustment
•Use Hill compound (dope) for easier peg tuning. Less staccato tuning/frequency jumps from sticky pegs. •The open&A# and open&E# positions can also be done with other the other two fingerings. This will help you find the right tonation of your strings. •The turning directions of all the pegs can be set in the direction when installing the strings.
Thank you for your very informative video and your effort to answer any relevant comment. I got my very first violin and this answered most of my questions. Hopefully I won't break any strings any more😉
Thanks for the video, I learned a lot from it. I really liked that you explained the theorical/phisical aspects, I'm a somewhat analitical person and I like to understand as much as possible in a topic, how it works, when working on something, I've seen videos and people have told me only that "it sounds good when it's in tune" or similar, which is not wrong per se, but leaves a lot of thing with no explanation. I will begin practicing tuning like this. I didn't see it in the video, but my guess is that the A string should be tuned using a fork/app that reproduces a 440hz A and go from there? If that's the case, I have a drone app that can reproduce the root and the fifth ( A and E for example), do you suggest it plays only the root or both when tuning the A string? Thanks again for the video, it really helped me.
Just the A should be enough. When you tune after a piano, it is good to let the piano give you a harmony, because then it is easier to fin the right place and more secure if the piano is slightly out of tune (which most are :)
Can I add to this? It may be important to recognise that pianos are tuned to a tempered scale where the 5ths are slightly narrower than perfect, and the 3rds, slightly wider than a pure 3rd. This would also apply to any standard tuning app. This allows a piano with "fixed" tuning to be played equally in any key. With violin where tuning is accomplished for the most part by the player this not an issue, and therefore tuning to pure, perfect 5ths as shown here by Simon, is a perfectly workable solution. But you might then find that there is a slight discrepancy with your app!
You are right! the discrepancy should be noticeable and is a serious concern when it comes to quartet playing or playing with an tempered instrument. In case of quartet tuning the low C-String of the Cello has to kind of match the E-String of the violin, which is only possible, in a kind of tempered tuning.
This video is very good stuff, the best i've ever seen. Who was your teacher? As you say, understanding and teaching tuning and intonation is very difficult. This your comment is not so good. On a violin we have to deal with three systems of intonation and tuning, pure, tempered and harmonic. You told us about pure tuning of the fifth, 3:2. a=440, e=660 . The tempered calculation differs: a=440 ais=440x1,0594631= x b=x x1,0594631=y c=y x1,059 ... ... e= ... =z z:440 is the tempered fifth. Now calculate the difference between a pure fifth and a tempered fifth in percent. 0.08% is the smallest difference of tones man can hear. That means, you cannot hear the difference between a pure fifth and a tempered fifth! When playing with a piano, we use a trick. We tune in pure fifth, controlled like you described it. Then we tune the G-string slightly higher. Now two fifth are too big, one is too small. Overall it should fit. Next point is harmonic intonation. The calculation is different. This refers to the overtones. a=440 1. overtone is 2:1 This is a, or oktave. 2. overtone is 3:2 This is fifth ( over an oktave) 3. overtone 3:4 4. overtone 4:5 ... If you listen to a C-string of a cello and your E-string fits, then your E-string fits an overtone of this C. This is a harmonic intervall. In practice everything gets easy. There is even some viola players who can tune and play in tune. Pure tuning is how you explained it. Tempered tuning is helpful when playing with a piano or playing non-tonal stuff. Harmonic intonation is useful in a room with big acoustic, like a church. You need it if your ensemble plays a chord and you play the third or the sixth. The context is not playing a melody. But you always do. So forget it. You'll never be in these circumstances in your whole life. @@SimonStreuffViolinEducation
Hi! I'm a Drummer. I also tune my Drums. I play guitar and bass. Thanks a lot for your advices. 🙏🏻 🖖🏻🇫🇷😎🇫🇷😎🇫🇷🖖🏻 PS: I also own a Piccolo violin, that's why i am here...
Thank you Simon. Question: does tuning the strings using the pegs (when inherently larger changes in tension will occur) reduce the life of the strings to a greater extent than tuning just with fine tuners (when pitch/tension changes will be minimal)?
Thanks for your question! Usually the movement of the peg should be kept minimal anyways and never go to much over the pitch (which is the worst for strings) But if your nut is not cut thoroughly the string can take damage there. Otherwise do not worry too much!
Wow this sounds very satisfying and also looks quite effortless regarding the hearing part compared to the guitar where strings are one forth apart from each other
Pros and cons. As a guitarist I would say the existence of machine heads rather than pegs, the lower sensitivity of the pitch when tuning, and the fact you don't need to be a contortionist to hold/sustain a note while turning the "pegs" - add up to it being much easier to tune a guitar overall. I'd agree that tuning in 5ths is far easier than tuning in 4ths but let's be realistic here, nobody tunes their guitar using 4ths. Instead we use the 5th fret to bring the lower string up to *match* the pitch of the next string, so in reality we are not comparing 4th intervals but rather simply comparing a note to itself, which I would argue is even easier than tuning by 5ths.
@@disgruntledwookie369 Yeah nost of the time it's the case. Sometimes when I drop the lower E to the D I use this technique where you're looking for the ovtave interval.
After using this advanced tuning method, is it correct to check with electronic tuner? Does the tuner follow same temperament as this advanced tuning method?
If you check with a tuner, the A-String should be on point, the D and G string both should be a little lower and the E String a little higher than the tuner shows, because the fifths of the equal temperament of the electric tuner are smaller than actual perfect fifths. So you can check, but keep that in mind. You can also try to tune after the electric tuner and then listen to the fifths, you will notice, they do not sound perfect at all!
11:29 this is the most important part for when you first start tuning. Make sure you're in a comfortable position where you can easily control you strength and always tune down first. Another tip as well is that when your fine tuners are all the way down and grinding into the bottom, then loosen them and the fix it with the pegs. That's generally when I use the pegs because I can't just rely on fine tuners. Also when your violin has been affected by weather or transport or longe periods of unuse and the strings get really out of tune. The first time, I didn't tune the string down first and because the peg is so difficult to move, it's very easy to put too much pressure and turn too far and snap the string, which is what I and most beginners do. I still hate tuning but I have no choice now, so I always play it safe. Do NOT attempt the professional level unless you are experienced and very truly comfortable with tuning with pegs. Also life is very fun if your E string fine tuner is stuck like mine. I'm always living on the edge man. I also use a tuner app to make sure the notes are in tune with each other (ie if my e string is on E but more on the flat side, I'll tune all the other strings to the same spot and they'll usually be pretty well in tube with each other and then I can just mess with the fine tuners by ear if it needs any more adjusting (but it never does).
So what I got from this video is when I want to tune my violin using the pegs, I must tune it on a low pitch and gradually get to the perfect interval, and both sides of the pegs have different ways of tuning them. Correct me if I'm wrong, also why must I fine tune the E string and not by using the pegs only? I await your feedback and I really found this to be helpful.
yes, it is slightly different, since tuning by ear will give you perfect fifths and tuning with an automatic tuner will give you tempered fifths, unless your tuner can be adjusted to perfect temperament.
I'm 21 and still not able to tune with pegs. Such a struggle. I can tune with fine tuners but not without. How do I get accurate pitch with the pegs? I only get to the approximate pitch but never quite perfect.
it is a lot of practice! Even if the pegs are fitted perfectly turning them needs a lot of strength and control. It is a thing one should really practice! Sometimes the pegs also just don't want to find the correct position.... usually on stage :D
Thank you for the suggestion! the string length though should not be changed since the winding at the end of the string is key for the string to hold in place and if you cut the string, you reduce the winding. More important and also effective to make the pegs run smoother is how you do the winding on the pegs. If you have trouble with the peg paddle position better change the after length of the string going into the hole in the peg, it has a similar effect without the danger to lose the important friction of the winding or dissolve the winding.
So I just got my violin (beginner) and accidentally moved the peg for A and G what do I do know? I’m scared to move the peg for G again cause I feel like It’s going to snap ... knowing I was helpless I searched how to tune it and just found out I wasn’t supposed to touch it (no one told me anything bout the pegs).
You can and sometimes must touch the pegs, since you can only come so far with the fine tuners if the violin is heavily out of tune. But learning how to tune with pegs there is usually some damage involved. I learned the hard way too: I broke many strings when I was young.
@@disgruntledwookie369 Wikipedia is written by another filthy guitar player it seems! There are good reasons for the wooden pegs, I replied to your other comment.
sometimes the string is stuck at the pegpox. Keep in mind to wind the string so it doesn't touch the pegbox. Or maybe your pegs need a refitting from a violinmaker
I know this comment is late but none of my pegs nor fine tuners budge, and when i move them up and push inwards, it goes back down, lower than it was before, ive went to go fix it and nothing worked, i used chalk and nothing worked, please help!
if you do everything else like described in the video and there is not a major problem with your pegs, more thrust might do it! Usually people underestimate the force it takes to make the pegs stick in the pegbox
I've been playing violin for over a decade now and use the pegs (fine tuner on the E string) to tune the violin now. I have a degree in music (B mus classical guitar) and still don't understand why the other strings don't get fine tuners (for more advanced players) but the E string does. Why is this so ? Anyone ?? Also you didn't mention that the way the strings on the lower strings are strung has a great deal to do with how easy it is to tune using the pegs. Having the string loop outwards around the peg toward the wood keeps the peg from slipping when tuning. The string, properly strung actually will keep the peg from slipping as you tune and force the peg inwards.
I have a video about changing strings. I presume it is usual to wind the strings correctly. Regarding fine tuners: They are a possible source of rattling noises. Also tuning with pegs gets rather easy over time.
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation I agree with you. At first, I found using the pegs somewhat difficult but now it's second nature and presents no problem. Good video, Simon. Your stuff is always good quality.
I think you misunderstand: It is not about what is more precise! Of course an good electric tuner will be more precise.. if the scale is right. The problem is though, that most electric tuners can not be adjusted to perfect temperament. They usually use the scale of equal temperament. Equal temperament has smaller fifths, too small to be perfect. The difference between a tempered fifth and a perfect fifth is quite easy to hear for any human ear. If you tune your instrument with those fifths using an electric tuner. The open strings will sound slightly wrong together.
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation Agreed. My tuner actually lets you control the particular frequencies but I know that most don't. Thank you for the highly informative video.
there are different things you could try. Check the winding of the string, it should go towards the handle of the peg not the other way. this way the strings tension pulls the peg into the pegbox and not the other way around. Secondly make sure to lower the strings tension quite a bit and then with a lot of pressure turn the peg slowly up. Some pegs just aren't fitted well. Solution would be to get them fitted by a violin maker. Third option is to take the peg out and apply some chalk. It makes the pegs stick better, but also makes them hard to turn. maybe peg soap (compound of graphite and wax) in addition with some chalk could help too. I made a separate video about the tuning with pegs btw. It is in the pinned comment and in the video description!
Your videos are great but I must really point out that the video editing glitch is hard to deal with especially in longer videos. I literally just minimize the screen to listen. Thanks for the video anyway.
I basically edit for a smooth audio. I try to improve my english so that I will have smooth audio without too many jumpcuts in the future. Thank you for the feedback!
@@desertfox432 You are right, thank you! I can do longer takes, but my way of speaking in German is very much improvised. I never prepare my sentences in German. That works ok for me in english in a conversation, but for a video it is much harder to not lose your train of thought, if you have to look up some vocabulary or circumscribe something. I do a lot of "aahm" and "so.. actually". I tend to cut that out in post to have a clean audio and save time for the listener. But I am trying to change my style already!
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation The audio turns out fine and that's why I end up just listening not watching. It's a video though, and because the editing is too frequent, it visually looks like Tourettes or I'm about to get Tourettes. Forgive my analogy, but I can't find a better way to describe it. You'll be fine, a lot of the violin vocabulary is universal and a few uhms and ahhs here and there are only human. You won't need much luck, English is like German but mit Wasser ;)
@@desertfox432 :D I actually thought about making the Audio of my Videos into a podcast for that reason. But it would not fit some places where I demonstrate things. But thanks to your input I will consider something like that too. I actually nowadays do a little more lose editing than I did in this video. I am aware of the problem for quite a while. In my courses I actually go at a slower rate with the cuts too. Also because they are better prepared. Thanks again for your input! Helps a lot!
Maybe someone else mentions it (I don’t have patience to read all comments). But if the top pictured sine wave is 440 Hz, the lower is pictured as 880 Hz. Now that this comment is behind me, I’ll go back and try to make it through the remainder of the video.
No, it is correct in the video, because I do not show the sinus waves of an octave, which would be double the frequenzy, but of a fifth, which is in relation 2:3. So it is 440 and 660HZ. Never question the master! ;) j
You have it pictured as 1/2; 440/880. Fifty years of electronics experience is not incorrect. I understand you want to show 440 and 660 Hz,,,,, but what you have pictured is two complete cycles of the lower waveshape during the same time period that one cycle happens above. Count complete signwaves in a given period. What you want to show is three complete cycles of 660 Hz happens in the same time period that two cycles of 440 Hz fills (4.54545 msec). Or 2:3, two cycles of 440 Hz fills the same time frame (4.54545 msec.) that three complete cycles of 660 Hz fills. The remainder of the video is very helpful and very well done. Thanks
Two complete cycles of 660 Hz cannot fit within the time period of one complete cycle of 440 Hz. Whereas, two complete cycles of 880Hz is a perfect timeframe match for one complete cycle of 440 Hz.
The presenter is confusing the number of positive peaks (top peak) with the number of cycles (aka Hertz). One complete cycle has, let’s say two positive peaks, one at beginning of cycle one at end of the one cycle. Similarly two complete cycles will have three peaks. So, # cycles = # peaks - 1. For most of us a better way to count cycles is pick a start point on the sine wave then visually trace down to “0”, then continue down to the negative peak, then back up, past “0” again and continue up to the positive peak. There you have visited two positive peaks but,,,, only actually covered One complete cycle. Number of peaks minus one will net you number of complete cycles. But learning to navigate through “0” and up and down the curve transitions will make it easier when you want to measure or describe fractions of a cycle. Sometimes we count “1, 2, 3”. Sometimes we must count “0, 1, 2”. ;-)
@@chuckdearruda6271 I guess I understand where you are coming from. The numbers are correct, but the illustration isn't. My illustration shows the corellation of an Octave 1:2. I guess it happened, because I did not understand what a full cycle in a sinus curve means. I actually can remember being confused when I made the video too. I actually changed the numbers of my example because of my confusion with my drawing. Now I understand what was wrong. Thank you! Glad you liked the rest of the video.
Violinist ,Violists and Cellists about the pegs ,just ditch the moronic love of the friction peg . Join the rest of the string instrument world and get geared pegs already. Try it you'll like it.
It totally depends on the quality of each. Well fitted pegs are easy to use and run smoothly and reliably for years without much maintainance. Also they are less prone for producing buzzing noises. On the Violin we can still have the fine tuners on the tailpiece in case we need them. So if yomeone needs them at the scroll... well I don't. And you know what guitarists struggle with often: tuning and tuning stability.
go further down and when going up press it harder into the pegbox and turn slower. It takes some force sometimes, especially if pegs are not very well fitted.
I'm afraid that this wasn't all too helpful for my daughter who is just learning to tune with pegs. she needs someone that will tell her the pitches and that's it. Not a huge introduction on other things regarding the violin. thnk you.
At the point, when someone learns to tune with the pegs, pitch shouldn't be a huge problem. That is why I only tell how to use the pegs rather than to show how to hit the correct pitch. The most important thing reagding pitch I state in this video aswell: always go under the pitch and back up again. If you could specify what problems regarding pitch you need to be solved I am here to help!
For the techniques work for 432 better than they do for 4:40 because it sounds correct and it makes a correct geometric pattern which 440 makes a fuzzy pattern. I do like your work it's great now now be correct with a healing frequency
I work a lot with other instruments that are tuned regularly and higher, so tuning in 432 is just impractical. Sometimes I have to tune 445 or higher, because some instruments are tuned at that pitch. Also I have the "problem" that I am so used to the 442 hz A-string so much, that 432 to me sounds so flat, that I have trouble adjusting. I have nothing against different tunings, but being that strong and intolerant about something so unpractical just doesn't stand to reason for me.
For the healing-~432hz-~A-note-~4th of our world's-harmonic-[re]sonance is with the people-health-benefits of the life-force-vibrational-harmony by the life-force-compatibility. [Yes, you have been conditioned by the years for dissonance which causes harm/damage to these earthlings by 8+ differential from healing truly pure geometric conformity with our world. Math 5ths works for any numbers selected at random.] For the musical-love is with the gift of the playing by your hand. Now be a balancer which can make a gift of healing vibration for the listener by your hand.
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation He's being a shit man. Don't listen to him. Keep up the great content and focus on english pronounciation. I'm sure your page will grow! 💪📈
@@DAAN_MUSIC I have no worries about that! But thank you very much! :) BTW teaching is my day job, so I really didn't know what he meant. Some of my actual students fear sometimes I could leave them for youtube and online things. So I thought maybe he was one of them or a parent. :D
I miss when my teacher would tune our violins for us. I remember when I was 10 my mom and I attempted and it snapped and I think I’ve been too traumatized since lol
My parents don’t know how to tune violin neither how to play violin, only my violin teacher does so until I have my violin classes, im stuck with a violin that is not tuned ;-; At least I can still practice though XD
I am also just looking at this video so i can see if i can try to tune it myself
Same experience my teacher tuned my violin every time, I attempted once alone and since then I am afraid in case the hordes snapped. I thought when I grew up it will be fine to do it alone, and then I became an adult but every time I need to tune my violin because I have nobody to do it for me I never hold it to my shoulder I have the fear that the strings will snapped and cut my face for some weird reason! 😥
@@blueberrybob5662 download an app. Also watch some videos on how to tune your violin put on a new string things like that there's four or five or six very good ones on TH-cam
It took me twice to be thoroughly traumatized
SAME 😭😭😭
FINALLY a video where you can actually hear the "beats" of the dissonant notes, and them going away as the string goes into tune. This is SO helpful - I'm going to practice this right away! Excellent video!
Anneke Metz thanks for your comment! I thought it would be good to show that sound and you proof me right. To hear the „ beats“ a good bow stroke is needed though. Sometimes beginners to tuning by ear struggle with that. Good luck 😉
This is good. I recently bought a Violin and I'm a beginner. The first problem I'm encountering is tunning .
I need more of this lesson. Then also on how to learn to play this beautiful instrument.
Thanks.
I opened my new beginner violin and broke a string and bridge on the first day. Lol I was trying to tune it like a guitar turning the pegs 3x over. This video is so helpful!
Better luck next time hopefully :)
@si james Things like that happen! it's really just a way of learning through failure. That's why no one should start playing a Stradivari in their early years ;)
Yeah lol I had a $100 violin so I figured out that was the problem. I upgraded to an electric acoustic and have been practicing phantom of the opera songs now with no issues thank goodness 😅
Also my first day tuning my cheaper violin I turned the tuning pegs like my guitar pegs and that’s what broke the string. Now I know better
My instructor always tunes my violin, so I have become lazy! Thanks for showing me how to do it. I love your videos! They are very helpful.
3:16-3:21 yes! As previously mentioned commented re: my respect towards your methodology, now I again compliment you for examining/explaining "clearly" what,; most other TH-cam "teachers" fail at. That is, the diagram which so clearly teaches (why) a "perfect fifth" is used for tuning. The humor is appreciated @ 3:16-3:21 it was just so unexpected considering how seriously I must work to learn these concepts. Thanks for reminding me you're still human, & not 'just' a wise instructor.
I very much appreciate comments like this! Thank you for watching!
That was very cool & unexpected haha!
I didn't know anything about "interwalls" b4 beside octaves & fifths. As for tuning with a piano out of tune & the different tunings for chamber music I just can't understand why instruments aren't tuned the same?
Thank you Simon, always learning something new, and practical from you, Cheers!
Thank you Christine! :) Glad to hear that!
Very nice and cleanly explained.
Thank you
I learn Carnatic music, a traditional art form, on my violin, the tuning is different from your
tuning.
In our music, in concerts, the violinist accompanies the vocalist, so the violin is tuned accordingly.
But your video helped me to understand the things better.
Thanks once again.
Really informative video! I've watched a lot of others and had the information in bits and pieces to tune my violin at home but this one really helped me connect the dots together.
Thank you so much for you feedback! I am glad it helped! :)
Alot more clearer than how my teacher explain to me. Thanks 🙏👍🏻
This is the best video on this subject. Well explained and easy to understand. Thank you! Well done!
Thank you very mucb!
Thank you, you explained it very well. It was very helpful when you showed the difference between how it sound right and wrong, Oh and the trick with figuring out if the string is tuned too high or too low - also very useful. Again, thank you very much!
Thank you so much for your comment! :)
Thank you!!!
I did orchestra (4/4 Violin) for 3 years in middle school, and before our teacher showed us how the tuning with pegs work, he moved to a different school and our new orchestra teacher refused to teach us even a small tidbit on how to use them properly.
I moved away and my new highschool didn't have an orchestra so I had a hard time playing when my violin refused to tune using just the lower pegs.
He probably didn't know how and rather than embarrass himself made out that he was refusing to teach you. Did you ever see him tune his violin with the pegs himself in front of you ??
Hi. Could you please demonstrate on tuning the E string that is very sensitive and might break anytime while tuning? How should one take care of the E string professionally?
how to tune with fine tuners I covered in a different video. I think it is actually quite easy compared to tuning with the pegs. If you have to change your e-string or for whatever reason have to put a new e string on, just make sure the fine tuner is in his lowest (by note) position and then you tune the e-string approximately to the correct pitch, but a little bit under it. Then do the rest with the fine tuner! New E-Strings tend to stay in tune very easily, because they are basically just a wire. Just use the fine tuner.
Excellent presentation, Simon - Thank you very much!
Hello! Ever since I gotten a new intermediate violin tuning with the pegs has been a difficult task. I’ve broken 3 strings and the bridge while tuning the past year because I believe the way I tune is wrong. Whenever I tune with the pegs, they would be hard to turn and turn by themselves rlly fast until they are very loose. When I tighten them again, something breaks. Not to mention the bridge moves when I tune. Do you recommend anything?
Sorry I am so late on your comment: restringing a violin isn't easy. Properly fitted pegs are rather easy to tune though. Especially as a beginner. Peg soap can also be a great help!
I have a video about changing strings on the violin. Maybe you can find some information there!
I got a question. My “A” string won’t tune up when I use the pegs. I try to move the pegs higher but then it immediately goes down again and so on. How do I fix this?
Thank you for your question. There are different options:
1. let the pegs be fitted by the violin maker.
2. Check if the winding is "correct" so that the tension of the string pulls the peg inwards in the pegbox.
3. Apply some chalk on the peg. That way it sticks better, but is also harder to turn.
I hope that helps! You can follow up with a question any time. Good luck!
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation my brother tried helping me but he was so stupid that he broke my E string! Ugh!
I can’t help
I can help you so first think is it micro (small) adjustment, or a macro (big) adjustment bc the pegs are for big adjustments and the tiny things that look like nails you build with, for micro adjustment
Or just push the peg into the hole while holding at where you want to tune
Your video is extremly helpful! :)
•Use Hill compound (dope) for easier peg tuning. Less staccato tuning/frequency jumps from sticky pegs.
•The open&A# and open&E# positions can also be done with other the other two fingerings. This will help you find the right tonation of your strings.
•The turning directions of all the pegs can be set in the direction when installing the strings.
Very instructive, thank you
Glad it was helpful!:)
Thank you for your very informative video and your effort to answer any relevant comment. I got my very first violin and this answered most of my questions. Hopefully I won't break any strings any more😉
What brand and model number that you use for a shoulder rest? Thanks
I use the KUN Super or Superior. It is quite a basic model, but very light and for me it works best.
My A peg keeps slipping out. What can I put around the peg to grip better or can pegs ever need changing?
Thanks for the video, I learned a lot from it. I really liked that you explained the theorical/phisical aspects, I'm a somewhat analitical person and I like to understand as much as possible in a topic, how it works, when working on something, I've seen videos and people have told me only that "it sounds good when it's in tune" or similar, which is not wrong per se, but leaves a lot of thing with no explanation. I will begin practicing tuning like this. I didn't see it in the video, but my guess is that the A string should be tuned using a fork/app that reproduces a 440hz A and go from there? If that's the case, I have a drone app that can reproduce the root and the fifth ( A and E for example), do you suggest it plays only the root or both when tuning the A string? Thanks again for the video, it really helped me.
Just the A should be enough. When you tune after a piano, it is good to let the piano give you a harmony, because then it is easier to fin the right place and more secure if the piano is slightly out of tune (which most are :)
Simon Streuff Violin-Education just the A it is then, thanks!
Can I add to this? It may be important to recognise that pianos are tuned to a tempered scale where the 5ths are slightly narrower than perfect, and the 3rds, slightly wider than a pure 3rd. This would also apply to any standard tuning app. This allows a piano with "fixed" tuning to be played equally in any key. With violin where tuning is accomplished for the most part by the player this not an issue, and therefore tuning to pure, perfect 5ths as shown here by Simon, is a perfectly workable solution. But you might then find that there is a slight discrepancy with your app!
You are right! the discrepancy should be noticeable and is a serious concern when it comes to quartet playing or playing with an tempered instrument. In case of quartet tuning the low C-String of the Cello has to kind of match the E-String of the violin, which is only possible, in a kind of tempered tuning.
This video is very good stuff, the best i've ever seen. Who was your teacher? As you say, understanding and teaching tuning and intonation is very difficult.
This your comment is not so good. On a violin we have to deal with three systems of intonation and tuning, pure, tempered and harmonic. You told us about pure tuning of the fifth, 3:2. a=440, e=660 . The tempered calculation differs:
a=440
ais=440x1,0594631= x
b=x x1,0594631=y
c=y x1,059 ...
...
e= ... =z
z:440 is the tempered fifth.
Now calculate the difference between a pure fifth and a tempered fifth in percent. 0.08% is the smallest difference of tones man can hear. That means, you cannot hear the difference between a pure fifth and a tempered fifth!
When playing with a piano, we use a trick. We tune in pure fifth, controlled like you described it. Then we tune the G-string slightly higher. Now two fifth are too big, one is too small. Overall it should fit.
Next point is harmonic intonation. The calculation is different. This refers to the overtones.
a=440
1. overtone is 2:1 This is a, or oktave.
2. overtone is 3:2 This is fifth ( over an oktave)
3. overtone 3:4
4. overtone 4:5
...
If you listen to a C-string of a cello and your E-string fits, then your E-string fits an overtone of this C. This is a harmonic intervall.
In practice everything gets easy. There is even some viola players who can tune and play in tune. Pure tuning is how you explained it. Tempered tuning is helpful when playing with a piano or playing non-tonal stuff. Harmonic intonation is useful in a room with big acoustic, like a church. You need it if your ensemble plays a chord and you play the third or the sixth. The context is not playing a melody. But you always do. So forget it. You'll never be in these circumstances in your whole life.
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation
Hi! I'm a Drummer. I also tune my Drums. I play guitar and bass. Thanks a lot for your advices. 🙏🏻
🖖🏻🇫🇷😎🇫🇷😎🇫🇷🖖🏻
PS: I also own a Piccolo violin, that's why i am here...
🖖🏻🇫🇷😎🇫🇷😎🇫🇷🖖🏻
PS: I also own a Piccolo violin, that's why i am here...
Thank you Simon. Question: does tuning the strings using the pegs (when inherently larger changes in tension will occur) reduce the life of the strings to a greater extent than tuning just with fine tuners (when pitch/tension changes will be minimal)?
Thanks for your question! Usually the movement of the peg should be kept minimal anyways and never go to much over the pitch (which is the worst for strings) But if your nut is not cut thoroughly the string can take damage there. Otherwise do not worry too much!
Wow this sounds very satisfying and also looks quite effortless regarding the hearing part compared to the guitar where strings are one forth apart from each other
Pros and cons. As a guitarist I would say the existence of machine heads rather than pegs, the lower sensitivity of the pitch when tuning, and the fact you don't need to be a contortionist to hold/sustain a note while turning the "pegs" - add up to it being much easier to tune a guitar overall. I'd agree that tuning in 5ths is far easier than tuning in 4ths but let's be realistic here, nobody tunes their guitar using 4ths. Instead we use the 5th fret to bring the lower string up to *match* the pitch of the next string, so in reality we are not comparing 4th intervals but rather simply comparing a note to itself, which I would argue is even easier than tuning by 5ths.
@@disgruntledwookie369 Yeah nost of the time it's the case. Sometimes when I drop the lower E to the D I use this technique where you're looking for the ovtave interval.
tuning with pegs needs some practice and also especially in the beginning having the pegs fitted well and applied some peg soap can work wonders.
wow, this is very informative!
Excellent video, thanks so much!
After using this advanced tuning method, is it correct to check with electronic tuner? Does the tuner follow same temperament as this advanced tuning method?
If you check with a tuner, the A-String should be on point, the D and G string both should be a little lower and the E String a little higher than the tuner shows, because the fifths of the equal temperament of the electric tuner are smaller than actual perfect fifths. So you can check, but keep that in mind. You can also try to tune after the electric tuner and then listen to the fifths, you will notice, they do not sound perfect at all!
Simon Streuff Violin-Education Glad to hear from you! Thanks
I use TE Tuner which has the perfect fifth option in tuning, as well as a few other oddball tunings.
11:29 this is the most important part for when you first start tuning. Make sure you're in a comfortable position where you can easily control you strength and always tune down first.
Another tip as well is that when your fine tuners are all the way down and grinding into the bottom, then loosen them and the fix it with the pegs. That's generally when I use the pegs because I can't just rely on fine tuners. Also when your violin has been affected by weather or transport or longe periods of unuse and the strings get really out of tune.
The first time, I didn't tune the string down first and because the peg is so difficult to move, it's very easy to put too much pressure and turn too far and snap the string, which is what I and most beginners do.
I still hate tuning but I have no choice now, so I always play it safe. Do NOT attempt the professional level unless you are experienced and very truly comfortable with tuning with pegs.
Also life is very fun if your E string fine tuner is stuck like mine. I'm always living on the edge man.
I also use a tuner app to make sure the notes are in tune with each other (ie if my e string is on E but more on the flat side, I'll tune all the other strings to the same spot and they'll usually be pretty well in tube with each other and then I can just mess with the fine tuners by ear if it needs any more adjusting (but it never does).
So what I got from this video is when I want to tune my violin using the pegs, I must tune it on a low pitch and gradually get to the perfect interval, and both sides of the pegs have different ways of tuning them. Correct me if I'm wrong, also why must I fine tune the E string and not by using the pegs only? I await your feedback and I really found this to be helpful.
This helps a tons, thank you
My D string peg isn’t locking in place.
Should I get a new instrument or am I doing something wrong?
Do you find that tuning by ear as you do does not give the same result as using an automatic tuner?
yes, it is slightly different, since tuning by ear will give you perfect fifths and tuning with an automatic tuner will give you tempered fifths, unless your tuner can be adjusted to perfect temperament.
Fine lesson.
Thank you so much!
Thank you, this helps.
Glad it helped!
I'm 21 and still not able to tune with pegs. Such a struggle. I can tune with fine tuners but not without. How do I get accurate pitch with the pegs? I only get to the approximate pitch but never quite perfect.
it is a lot of practice! Even if the pegs are fitted perfectly turning them needs a lot of strength and control. It is a thing one should really practice! Sometimes the pegs also just don't want to find the correct position.... usually on stage :D
Good To see you;
You look great!
Thank you :)
and good to see you too!
Simon Streuff Violin-Education 😊😊😊😊😊 really?you flatter me😝
Don't find no more my words 😆
Good video Simon however, you should consider cutting your strings to proper lengths to place peg paddle for easier tuning!! Thanks
Thank you for the suggestion! the string length though should not be changed since the winding at the end of the string is key for the string to hold in place and if you cut the string, you reduce the winding. More important and also effective to make the pegs run smoother is how you do the winding on the pegs. If you have trouble with the peg paddle position better change the after length of the string going into the hole in the peg, it has a similar effect without the danger to lose the important friction of the winding or dissolve the winding.
Please take a minute and look at this video: How to Adjust Violin Pegs/ How to Replace a Violin String #2.
Hi im going to buy a violin and it's my first time got any tips? :D
I have a video about that on my channel!
So the strategy is to loose it up first (Pegs and fine tuner both) and then try to tune it through pegs and if required use fine tuner. Right?
great! Danke!
So I just got my violin (beginner) and accidentally moved the peg for A and G what do I do know? I’m scared to move the peg for G again cause I feel like It’s going to snap ... knowing I was helpless I searched how to tune it and just found out I wasn’t supposed to touch it (no one told me anything bout the pegs).
You can and sometimes must touch the pegs, since you can only come so far with the fine tuners if the violin is heavily out of tune. But learning how to tune with pegs there is usually some damage involved. I learned the hard way too: I broke many strings when I was young.
Why I feel that's this is harder than tunning a guitar or uke I'm getting desperate XD
At least your video is really good regarding the violin
The frets on teh guitar make it easier and sure also the machine heads combines with the much lower string tension.
@@disgruntledwookie369 Wikipedia is written by another filthy guitar player it seems! There are good reasons for the wooden pegs, I replied to your other comment.
Excellent.
Will this video help me tune my violin strings with pegs
I hope so!
i keep breaking my a string while trying to tune it , any advice?
My “A” string won’t budge! Whyyyyyyyy
sometimes the string is stuck at the pegpox. Keep in mind to wind the string so it doesn't touch the pegbox. Or maybe your pegs need a refitting from a violinmaker
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation what do you mean so the string doesnt touch the pegbox?? How? And where exactly is the pegbox?
Why do my A and e strings barely sound after I rosin the bow??
HOW DO i know if im turning the peg too far and it's about to break off?? PLEASE HELP
I know this comment is late but none of my pegs nor fine tuners budge, and when i move them up and push inwards, it goes back down, lower than it was before, ive went to go fix it and nothing worked, i used chalk and nothing worked, please help!
if you do everything else like described in the video and there is not a major problem with your pegs, more thrust might do it! Usually people underestimate the force it takes to make the pegs stick in the pegbox
So you apply pressure during duration of turning the peg
Mandeep Allingham ok thsnk you
correct!
I've been playing violin for over a decade now and use the pegs (fine tuner on the E string) to tune the violin now. I have a degree in music (B mus classical guitar) and still don't understand why the other strings don't get fine tuners (for more advanced players) but the E string does. Why is this so ? Anyone ?? Also you didn't mention that the way the strings on the lower strings are strung has a great deal to do with how easy it is to tune using the pegs. Having the string loop outwards around the peg toward the wood keeps the peg from slipping when tuning. The string, properly strung actually will keep the peg from slipping as you tune and force the peg inwards.
I have a video about changing strings. I presume it is usual to wind the strings correctly. Regarding fine tuners: They are a possible source of rattling noises. Also tuning with pegs gets rather easy over time.
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation I agree with you. At first, I found using the pegs somewhat difficult but now it's second nature and presents no problem. Good video, Simon. Your stuff is always good quality.
I don't think the human ear no matter how precise can beat an electronic tuner. I like my violin to be as precisely tuned as possible.
I think you misunderstand: It is not about what is more precise! Of course an good electric tuner will be more precise.. if the scale is right. The problem is though, that most electric tuners can not be adjusted to perfect temperament. They usually use the scale of equal temperament. Equal temperament has smaller fifths, too small to be perfect. The difference between a tempered fifth and a perfect fifth is quite easy to hear for any human ear. If you tune your instrument with those fifths using an electric tuner. The open strings will sound slightly wrong together.
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation Agreed. My tuner actually lets you control the particular frequencies but I know that most don't. Thank you for the highly informative video.
You are welcome! Can you recommend me the model of tuner you have? I am interested in buying a better one too.
I find that when tuning my A string when I turn the peg and then let go it just goes back to where it was or lower any tips to stop this happeninh
there are different things you could try. Check the winding of the string, it should go towards the handle of the peg not the other way. this way the strings tension pulls the peg into the pegbox and not the other way around. Secondly make sure to lower the strings tension quite a bit and then with a lot of pressure turn the peg slowly up. Some pegs just aren't fitted well. Solution would be to get them fitted by a violin maker. Third option is to take the peg out and apply some chalk. It makes the pegs stick better, but also makes them hard to turn. maybe peg soap (compound of graphite and wax) in addition with some chalk could help too. I made a separate video about the tuning with pegs btw. It is in the pinned comment and in the video description!
I've struggled with achievingthr specific objectives of your video, Sir!
Your videos are great but I must really point out that the video editing glitch is hard to deal with especially in longer videos. I literally just minimize the screen to listen. Thanks for the video anyway.
I basically edit for a smooth audio. I try to improve my english so that I will have smooth audio without too many jumpcuts in the future. Thank you for the feedback!
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation Your English is perfectly understandable you'll find is to be easier to do longer takes than you think.
@@desertfox432 You are right, thank you! I can do longer takes, but my way of speaking in German is very much improvised. I never prepare my sentences in German. That works ok for me in english in a conversation, but for a video it is much harder to not lose your train of thought, if you have to look up some vocabulary or circumscribe something. I do a lot of "aahm" and "so.. actually". I tend to cut that out in post to have a clean audio and save time for the listener. But I am trying to change my style already!
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation The audio turns out fine and that's why I end up just listening not watching. It's a video though, and because the editing is too frequent, it visually looks like Tourettes or I'm about to get Tourettes. Forgive my analogy, but I can't find a better way to describe it.
You'll be fine, a lot of the violin vocabulary is universal and a few uhms and ahhs here and there are only human. You won't need much luck, English is like German but mit Wasser ;)
@@desertfox432 :D I actually thought about making the Audio of my Videos into a podcast for that reason. But it would not fit some places where I demonstrate things. But thanks to your input I will consider something like that too. I actually nowadays do a little more lose editing than I did in this video. I am aware of the problem for quite a while. In my courses I actually go at a slower rate with the cuts too. Also because they are better prepared. Thanks again for your input! Helps a lot!
Thank you
Mrs S@SS
Maybe someone else mentions it (I don’t have patience to read all comments). But if the top pictured sine wave is 440 Hz, the lower is pictured as 880 Hz.
Now that this comment is behind me, I’ll go back and try to make it through the remainder of the video.
No, it is correct in the video, because I do not show the sinus waves of an octave, which would be double the frequenzy, but of a fifth, which is in relation 2:3. So it is 440 and 660HZ. Never question the master! ;) j
You have it pictured as 1/2; 440/880. Fifty years of electronics experience is not incorrect.
I understand you want to show 440 and 660 Hz,,,,, but what you have pictured is two complete cycles of the lower waveshape during the same time period that one cycle happens above. Count complete signwaves in a given period.
What you want to show is three complete cycles of 660 Hz happens in the same time period that two cycles of 440 Hz fills (4.54545 msec). Or 2:3, two cycles of 440 Hz fills the same time frame (4.54545 msec.) that three complete cycles of 660 Hz fills.
The remainder of the video is very helpful and very well done. Thanks
Two complete cycles of 660 Hz cannot fit within the time period of one complete cycle of 440 Hz.
Whereas, two complete cycles of 880Hz is a perfect timeframe match for one complete cycle of 440 Hz.
The presenter is confusing the number of positive peaks (top peak) with the number of cycles (aka Hertz). One complete cycle has, let’s say two positive peaks, one at beginning of cycle one at end of the one cycle. Similarly two complete cycles will have three peaks. So, # cycles = # peaks - 1.
For most of us a better way to count cycles is pick a start point on the sine wave then visually trace down to “0”, then continue down to the negative peak, then back up, past “0” again and continue up to the positive peak. There you have visited two positive peaks but,,,, only actually covered One complete cycle.
Number of peaks minus one will net you number of complete cycles. But learning to navigate through “0” and up and down the curve transitions will make it easier when you want to measure or describe fractions of a cycle.
Sometimes we count “1, 2, 3”. Sometimes we must count “0, 1, 2”. ;-)
@@chuckdearruda6271 I guess I understand where you are coming from. The numbers are correct, but the illustration isn't. My illustration shows the corellation of an Octave 1:2. I guess it happened, because I did not understand what a full cycle in a sinus curve means. I actually can remember being confused when I made the video too. I actually changed the numbers of my example because of my confusion with my drawing. Now I understand what was wrong. Thank you! Glad you liked the rest of the video.
my peg is coming out what am i supposed to do ??
I know it sounds blatant, but: put it back in! If it doesn't stick, use peg soap or chalk at the peg. You are welcome
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation uh ok thanks
i need to tune my violin for school and i have a music test and im scared
Ok so I got a secondhand violin and I think I need to get fresh strings, I broke one of the strings straight away 😅
That is unfortunate! Be careful with the pegs. Less is more! Good luck!
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation thank you. 😊
Definitely will learn from my mistake.
How do you get over the trauma of snapping the strings? 😂
Violinist ,Violists and Cellists about the pegs ,just ditch the moronic love of the friction peg . Join the rest of the string instrument world and get geared pegs already. Try it you'll like it.
It totally depends on the quality of each. Well fitted pegs are easy to use and run smoothly and reliably for years without much maintainance. Also they are less prone for producing buzzing noises. On the Violin we can still have the fine tuners on the tailpiece in case we need them. So if yomeone needs them at the scroll... well I don't. And you know what guitarists struggle with often: tuning and tuning stability.
When I do it the peg just goes back where it started
go further down and when going up press it harder into the pegbox and turn slower. It takes some force sometimes, especially if pegs are not very well fitted.
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation i had the same problem as him, And it worked 😁 TYSM 👍😭
7:25
I can not tune a violin with pegs
he kept on editing the video can u guys tell
I can tell :D
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation duh its ur video
@@angelicaspadoni_beecroft5632 duh really?
@@angelicaspadoni_beecroft5632 Don’t be a shit head
Great video but it cuts way too much.
Luciana Love agree
pls sir why you edit the videos in such an annoying way? is very distractive
Reason is my mediocre english.. so no, I can't change that that easily.
I'm afraid that this wasn't all too helpful for my daughter who is just learning to tune with pegs. she needs someone that will tell her the pitches and that's it. Not a huge introduction on other things regarding the violin. thnk you.
At the point, when someone learns to tune with the pegs, pitch shouldn't be a huge problem. That is why I only tell how to use the pegs rather than to show how to hit the correct pitch. The most important thing reagding pitch I state in this video aswell: always go under the pitch and back up again. If you could specify what problems regarding pitch you need to be solved I am here to help!
TLDR?
16 Minutes how to learn tuning with pegs: not too long at all. But if you can't concentrate that long, good luck with learning to play the violin. :D
432 is true geometric tuning resonance frequency per Pythagoras and bible.. Why you participant with dissonance horror-with lies
Because I am the devil :D
For the techniques work for 432 better than they do for 4:40 because it sounds correct and it makes a correct geometric pattern which 440 makes a fuzzy pattern. I do like your work it's great now now be correct with a healing frequency
I work a lot with other instruments that are tuned regularly and higher, so tuning in 432 is just impractical. Sometimes I have to tune 445 or higher, because some instruments are tuned at that pitch. Also I have the "problem" that I am so used to the 442 hz A-string so much, that 432 to me sounds so flat, that I have trouble adjusting. I have nothing against different tunings, but being that strong and intolerant about something so unpractical just doesn't stand to reason for me.
For the healing-~432hz-~A-note-~4th of our world's-harmonic-[re]sonance is with the people-health-benefits of the life-force-vibrational-harmony by the life-force-compatibility. [Yes, you have been conditioned by the years for dissonance which causes harm/damage to these earthlings by 8+ differential from healing truly pure geometric conformity with our world. Math 5ths works for any numbers selected at random.]
For the musical-love is with the gift of the playing by your hand. Now be a balancer which can make a gift of healing vibration for the listener by your hand.
I thought at firsts you were trolling but you were serious haha. But yeah, I think to each his own.
Don't quit your day job
Maykylalouise what do you mean? 🧐
@@SimonStreuffViolinEducation He's being a shit man. Don't listen to him. Keep up the great content and focus on english pronounciation. I'm sure your page will grow! 💪📈
@@DAAN_MUSIC I have no worries about that! But thank you very much! :) BTW teaching is my day job, so I really didn't know what he meant. Some of my actual students fear sometimes I could leave them for youtube and online things. So I thought maybe he was one of them or a parent. :D