Hello

I'm tuning my violin, it has fine adjusters and I have had no problems with E, A or D string, but my G string is very very out of tune. The adjuster on it is almost all the way screwed down (I have checked and it isn't touching the body of the violin, it just won't screw more than maybe a couple of turns further). So I assume this means I need to use the tuning pegs to get it closer to pitch, and then resume with the fine tuner, is that right?

Secondly, I tried this and moved the peg just a little way, but it just slips straight back to the position it was in before. Is there something I should be doing to stop that? I haven't found a violin teacher yet, so I have no one to show me what to do, and I am scared of doing some damage!

Please excuse my cluelessness!
Thank you!

i used to do this on my cello:
unscrew the fine tuner all the way, then use the peg to get it apporximatly, then use the fine tuner. that way theres less risk of breaking the string, and you get the use of the fine tuner back.

I don't think you're likely to cause any damage unless you're really heavy handed with thing. If your turning the pegs and they slip back just try pushing the peg in as you turn it. It won't feel as if it's gone inward, but that pressure will help stop the peg from slipping back and all should be fine, just rememberto do what hello_cello said and fully unwind the fine tuner.

LiBiTiNA

This happened on my beginners violin basically the E peg didn't fit properly, you can get some peg paste for about £2 to rub around the peg before putting it back in and that might help, otherwise you just have to push it 'in' a bit when you are finished tightening.

Luckily on my new violin the pegs fit really well and this doesn't happen, it was really really annoying though, as the slightest touch of the E peg it would unwind and I would be in for another game of Russian Roulette with tightening it up and hoping the string doesn't break!

One of my students had exactly this problem. Hidersine Hiderpaste has helped to some degree, but if that doesn't work you may need a new peg (ie one that fits!)

Libitina said exactly what i wanted too I have a stentor student violin and the pegs kept slipping when I got it. The guy incharge of repairs at the shop told me to push the peg in as I turn it a couple of times and it will stop sticking. If they are new pegs it might be because they haven't been 'broken in' yet.

For now i agree push in as you tune, but it is worth getting some peg paste, i put some on my cello and they have been fine ever since, and i put this on about a year ago, well worth it.

You don't need to 'break in' pegs. A good fitting peg may need a little paste, depending on weather/humidity conditions, but essentially it should fit well enough to tune the instrument without any problems.

Pegs should always be turned slightly towards you before turning them away from you. This ensures you don't break the string and avoids damaging (overstretching) it too. Pegs should always be pushed in slightly as you tune the string up, this in itself acts as an anti-slip device. Pegs which are or become resistent to this and still slip back should have a little Hiderpaste put on them. Never overtune a string to compensate.

On tight or notchy pegs, paste them as soon as you can with Hill peg paste, otherwise you could end up with pegs that refuse to turn at all.