Music theory games > Online Chromatic Tuner

Online Chromatic Tuner

Free online tuner to assist you in tuning your musical instrument. Also, instructions on how to tune your guitar, violin, viola, cello, double bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, and more.

This online tuner allows you to tune your instrument; it's free and chromatic.

Instructions:

• Click start.
• Click on " allow learnthesolfege.com to use your microphone (from your webcam, for example)".
• At any time, you can select the A reference note (440Hz, 441Hz, 442Hz, or other). If you're unsure, leave it as is.
• You can choose your instrument's key (Transposition in B♭, E♭, A, and F).
• Play the note you usually tune to.
• Check the accuracy precisely with the slider.

At the bottom of this page, you'll find specific tuners for:

• Violin
• Viola
• Cello
• Double bass
• Guitar
• Ukulele
• Flute
• Oboe
• Clarinet
• Saxophone
• Trumpet
• French horn
• Trombone

As well as advice for tuning your instrument.

Advantages of an online tuner?

• No need to install an app or software.
• Works on all devices: computers, mobiles, tablets, etc.
• Doesn't take up space or memory on your smartphone or tablet.
• Reliable.

Disadvantages of an online tuner?

• Requires internet connection (Wi-Fi, mobile network, hotspot, etc.).

What algorithm does this online tuner use?

After testing several algorithms for detecting sound frequency, I found that the autocorrelation algorithm (ACF2+) was the most suitable. I had some issues with the YIN algorithm, which returned a slightly higher frequency by a few Hertz as it requires adjustments based on the context.

Which A reference note to tune to?

A 415 Hertz? 432 Hz? 440 Hz or 442 Hz?

The current standard is to tune to an A at 440 hertz. The ISO 16 Standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) established in 1955 that the reference A should be at a frequency of 440 Hz. This frequency is the tuning reference for modern instruments such as pianos, string instruments (violins, violas, cellos, double basses), and modern wind instruments (oboes, flutes, clarinets, bassoons, brass instruments).

The current trend, despite this standard, leans toward an A at 442 hertz, sometimes even up to 444 hertz.

So, if you're playing on a modern instrument, aim for an A between 440 Hz and 442 Hz.

But before the adoption of this standard in 1955, the pitch wasn't fixed; it could vary depending on the era, country, organ builders, etc.

The A 415 Hz, often referred to as the baroque pitch, seems to be the current norm for musicians and orchestras playing on old instruments, even though during the Baroque period, nothing was fixed.

So, if you're playing on an old instrument, it means you're already quite knowledgeable on the subject, more so than me. I believe you use an A around 415 Hz. (Feel free to contact me and share reference books or documents on the topic)

It's better not to have perfect pitch to play the Baroque cello. Luckily, I'm neither a cellist nor a Baroque musician...

Here's an A at 442 Hertz:

And here's an A at 415 Hertz

Almost a half-step difference!

Different algorithms for detecting sound frequency

There are several algorithms for detecting sound frequency; here are some commonly used ones:

• Fast Fourier Transform
• Autocorrelation
• YIN method
• Discrete cosine transform

Fast Fourier Transform

Advantages:

Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) is a well-established and commonly used method for analyzing audio signals.
It determines exact frequencies contained in an audio signal.

Disadvantages:

Fourier Transform is computationally expensive, making it impractical for real-time applications.
It can be sensitive to noise and disruptions in the audio signal.

Autocorrelation

Advantages:

Autocorrelation is a simple and fast method to estimate the fundamental frequency of an audio signal.
It can be effective even in the presence of noise or disruptions in the signal.

Disadvantages:

Autocorrelation can be less precise than other methods for complex audio signals or multiple harmonics.
It may require expertise to optimize the method's parameters.

YIN Method

Advantages:

The YIN method is efficient for detecting the fundamental frequency in complex audio signals.
It's fast and computationally inexpensive.

Disadvantages:

The YIN method may require adjustment parameters for different types of audio signals.
It might be less accurate than other methods for audio signals with widely spaced harmonics.

Discrete Cosine Transform

Advantages:

The discrete cosine transform is an efficient method to estimate the fundamental frequency of complex audio signals. It is fast and requires fewer computational resources.

Disadvantages:

The method may require adjustment parameters for different types of audio signals. It might be less accurate than other methods for audio signals with widely spaced harmonics.

All Other Tuners

Here are all the other online and free tuners available on this website: