Procedure And Methodology Step 1: Strike a tuning fork lightly with a rubber mallet or the heel of your shoe (do not strike against a table or other hard object, especially glass, and after striking do not continue to hold the tuning fork against the mallet or shoe). You get the best sound by striking on a side (one tine or the other). Make a note of the loudness, and after the sound ceases, strike a tine much harder. In which case is the sound louder