Drone tuning the notes on the D string

🎯 What You’ll Learn

In this lesson, you’ll learn how to play more in tune by using drones—steady, reference tones that act like musical tuning forks. Instead of relying on visual cues (like apps or tape), you’ll train your ear to hear the right pitch and adjust your fingers naturally.

We’ll focus on one note at a time (like D1, D2, and D3), using repetition and simple exercises to help you lock in the pitch. You’ll also add bowing variations and creative twists to make tuning practice more fun than flossing your cat’s teeth (which we don’t recommend, by the way).

🛠 Key Tips

• Listen to the drone for a few seconds before playing—let the sound sink in.
• Use long, slow bows to better hear how in-tune your note is.
• Alternate between playing and listening—this sharpens your ear.
• Start with one note (like D1) and go deep before adding others.
• Try creative variations like slurs or rhythms to keep it interesting.
• When the note “locks in,” you’ll feel it—it’s like tuning your soul. 🎯

❓ Common Questions

Why should I use drones instead of tape or an app?
Tape and apps are great training wheels—but drones help you actually hear and feel when you’re in tune. That’s what sticks.

What if the drone sounds bad or dissonant?
Good news: that means your ear is working! Just make tiny finger adjustments until the note blends in smoothly. It’s like adjusting your radio—remember radios?

Which drone should I use for each note?
Match the drone to the note: E for D1, F# for D2, and G for D3. If in doubt, pretend you’re the C.E.F. of FiddleHed and make an executive tuning decision.

Finding D1

We use a specific drone for each note we want to tune.

Tune up D1 (called E) with an E drone:

Also, practice these fingerings with the E drone:

• D0-1
• D1-2
• D1-0-1-2

Finding D2

Tune up D2 (called F sharp) we use an F# drone:

Practice these fingerings with the F# drone:

• D1-2
• D0-2
• D0-1-2-2

Finding D3

Tune up D3 (called G) with a G drone:

Practice these fingerings with the G drone:

• D2-3
• D3-A0
• D0-3
• D0-1-2-3

Add variations to make this practice more fun and productive:

• two bows
• fours bows
• hoedown (long-short-short)
• triplets
• slur two
• quiet/medium/loud volume
• slower and faster tempos

By the way, you can find more drones for any note you want to practice in the Drone Central section of the course. There are different types of drones, some with beats, some without. 

How does this help you to play in tune?

The drone functions as a reference tone. If you play along with it and you’re out of tune, your ear will be able to hear the dissonance. Then, it’s just a matter of adjusting your left-hand fingers to the correct position. Practicing this way on a daily basis is called ear-training. Just like going to the gym to work out your muscles, you can practice with drones to work out your ear.

If you actually practice drone tuning, you will succeed in playing better in tune. You are training both your ear and your fingers. 

Further practice

Here are some more exercises to help you play better in tune. Each one is in a call-and-response format. You’ll hear something, and then there will be a space for you to play the same thing.

• D1 (E) tuning exercises
• D2 (F#) tuning exercises
• D3 (G) tuning exercises

Why is this good? Because you will alternate between listening and playing. This will integrate both processes so they happen together more naturally.

In addition to playing better in tune, drones make practice sessions more fun. Learn more here: Using Drones to Create Epic Practice Sessions

Continue on to Freres Jacques >>

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