Mandolin are used. Usually, courses of 2 adjacent strings are tuned in unison. By far the most common tuning is the same as violin tuning, in scientific pitch notation G–D–A–E, or in Helmholtz pitch notation: g–d′–a′–e″. Note that the numbers of Hz shown above assume a 440 Hz A, standard in most parts of the western world. Some players use an A up to 10 Hz above or below a 440, mainly outside the United States. Other tunings exist, including "cross-tunings", in which the usually doubled string runs are tuned to different pitches. Additionally, guitarists may sometimes tune a mandolin to
Poème élégiaque in D minor, Op.12 (Ysaÿe) for violin and orchestra; "Amitié, Op. 26" for two violins and orchestra, "Poème nocturne, Op. 29" for violin, cello, and orchestra; "Harmonies du soir, Op. 31" for string quartet and string orchestra. This crucial work of Ysaÿe's, which ignited his passion for poem compositions, was inspired by Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet". Ysaÿe builds on the virtuoso pieces of the 19th century and utilizes devices such as "scordatura", in which the violin's lowest string is tuned down to give it a darker, warmer timbre. The beginning of this piece, marked "soutenu et calme", opens with a very lyrical theme from the