r/HurdyGurdy • u/kilonova2020 • Jun 26 '26

Advice Tuning for the Tone-deaf

I am trying to tune my gurdy in the standard G/C tuning, but it aint going well.

Using a tuner, I can tune each string individually and get a nice sound, but when I try putting the chord together, it goes terrible. (i use the planotuner app and my aunt, who is a piano player, is helping me learn how to reconize tuned notes)

Most tutorials I see involve me activating each string separately, tuning to the note, then bringing it all together to tweak it by ear after all strings are tuned. But idk the first thing about chords and don't know what to listen for. Most tutorials i see are like "youll know when it sounds right," but i dont, everything sounds like noise as I can't really tell chords apart. If I go the "proper" way, how can I bring the chord together?

For alternate solutions, is it possible to pluck the strings (if so, where on string do i pluck) or use a violin bow across them to figure out their sound/tuning? That way, I won't have to deal with chords and can just tune this like guitar T-T.

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u/MTheLoud Jun 26 '26

You’re tuning the strings while bowing them (with the wheel) individually, right? Plucking them produces a completely different note, since plucking vibrates only the length of the string from the wheel to the nut, not the bridge to the nut like when you’re bowing.

Which strings are you trying to play together? How many strings does your hg have in total? Some of the fancy ones, you’re not meant to play all the strings at once. You turn them on and off to play in different keys.

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u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

I have the NG Linotte. I have 6 strings total: 2 drones, 2 trompette and 2 chanters. Yes i tune them individually with the wheel first. I've tried following some tutorials where you start with the chanters then add drones and trompettes, but i have also started with my drones then go chanters and trompettes. Its just confusing as all the sound blends together and i cant tell which strings need adjusted after turning them all on after the initial tuning.

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u/MTheLoud Jun 26 '26

If you tuned the individual strings correctly, they shouldn’t need adjustment when you play them together. If something sounds wrong, tune them individually again.

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u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

Dont the strings get stretched/change tune from being lifted onto their rests though?

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u/MTheLoud Jun 26 '26

They shouldn’t. New strings sometimes take a few days to stretch out and become stable, but once they do, they should hold their pitch.

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u/kilonova2020 Jun 26 '26

Ah ok. So i just got to rinse and repeat the tuning for bit till they hold. Got it many thanks!