Whether you are playing in a band concert, a band, an orchestra, a small ensemble or alone, it is very important to play with an intonation that is close to perfection. Although you have to be in tune on your own, you will still need to tune with the other instruments. Initially, the tuning process can be difficult and confusing, but once you get used to it and develop a musical ear, it will pretty much come naturally to you.
Steps
Step 1. Set your tuner to a frequency of 440 hertz (Hz)
Often this frequency is displayed as A = 440. Most instruments will tune to this frequency, which is considered standard, however your ensemble may also tune at 442. Tuning at 442 hertz (Hz) makes the instrument sound more intense and brilliant.
Step 2. Decide which note or group of notes you will agree with
Step 3. If you play in a group, the note you tune with is usually the Bb, which is your C
Generally the instrument is tuned in Bb also with the piano, for a concert with solo instrument and piano, but also with a group or with an ensemble.
Step 4. If you are playing with an orchestra, the note you tune with is A, or 440 Hz, which is your natural B
Step 5. Bands and other ensembles generally tune into a series of four notes, F, G, A and Bb, which for you are G, A, B and Do
Step 6. Play the note, or the first note in the case of a series, and check the tuner display
You should see the name of the note you are playing and whether it is flat, flat or flat.
- If you are in tune, or think you are in tune, play the next notes in series.
- If you are growing, pull the barrel out slightly where it meets the top section of the clarinet. Here is a way to remember this passage: "when you grow up, you go out". Keep adjusting it until the note is in tune. It is also possible to take out the lower section of the clarinet that meets the bell. However, it is advisable to initially place the barrel.
- If you are flat, push the barrel deeper into the top section if you haven't pushed it all the way yet, or change the mouthpiece and placement of the clarinet until it is in tune. Here's how you can remember this passage: "When something is waning, push it."
Step 7. Continue to adjust the clarinet as explained, until you reach the correct key to play
Advice
- Remember to play full sound as you tune. In fact, you have to tune the instrument based on how you will play.
- When explaining to students how to tune their clarinet (as a conductor) it is advisable to use monetary terms. For example: "widen by one cent", referring to the thickness of the coin. If the sound is still growing, suggest "spread out by fifty cents". Only in music can two cents be equal to fifty.
- Most digital tuners have two settings: the needle tuning, which displays a semicircle with the ends (called wan and crescent) on the display, and the needle that moves when you play, and the tone setting, with the tuner that emits the notes and allows you to tune thanks to your musical ear.
- You can also tune by ear, but you need to have a lot of musical experience and the ability to do so. Also, the digital tuner is more accurate.
- By pulling out the bell slightly, you can sharpen notes that use the full length of the instrument. Think of these notes as playing with all your fingers.
- To refine the intonation, experiment with the bit, the position in which you hold the clarinet, according to the height of the knees, or push or pull between the two sections of the keys or the bell. Many clarinet players have trouble tuning C and G at the same time. To solve this problem, adjust the middle section of the clarinet. Most of the time you will have to pull it out
- If you are waning, it is advisable to buy a harder reed. Go to a music store and ask for a harder reed. On the reed you will find the hardness number written. Ask for a half size top. For example, if you have a 2 reed, take a 2, 5 reed. If you have a 3 reed, take a 3, 5 reed, and so on.
- Once you have developed a good musical ear it is advisable to tune according to the tones. Use a tone tuner, rather than one with the needle on the display. This method is particularly useful if you want to change your pitch by slightly changing the embouchure without relying on the image. In any case, always check the pitch with the needle tuner.
- If you don't have a tuner, you can tune the note A3 (the A in the middle of C) with the piano, as long as it is in tune, or with a tuning fork. The tuning fork comes in many intonations and is relatively simple to find in A (A in 440), as it is often used by stringed musicians.
- Remember that tuning is subject to temperature. When it is cold, the clarinet is waning, while when it is hot, it is rising. Remember this when you have to play outside.
- If you are tuning the instrument with the piano, make sure the piano is in tune first!
- If the clarinet is too flat and you've tried everything to tune it, you may want to use a shorter barrel. Ask your teacher or someone who works at a professional music store to help you find one.
- Tuning is subject to barrel length. Ask your teacher or an expert at a music store to get you a new keg if you're having a variety of issues with intonation. However, you should remember that tuning is not a simple thing. If you're not perfectly tuned, don't rush to buy a new keg. Remember: tuning takes a lot of practice.
- Pulling two sections of the clarinet will create a sort of groove in which condensation can collect. To avoid this, you can get some intonation rings, which are sold in a series of 2 or 3, of various sizes and cost around 10 euros.
Warnings
- It is practically impossible to perfectly tune every single note of the clarinet, especially the highest, the lowest and the ones with holes. Try as you might, you'll never reach perfection.
- Unless you have a very expensive tuner that you can modify according to the different transpositions of the instruments, be very careful that the notes you play correspond to those shown on the display, because the tuner shows the note in concert tuning mode. For more information, read this article.
- While many clarinet players rely heavily on intonation rings, they are not strictly necessary. Also, remember that they need to be pulled out for a higher pitch and that they may begin to vibrate at a lower pitch. If you can't overlook the annoying buzz, it would be better not to use them.
- Always remember that the pitch depends on the clef your clarinet is in. For example, a Bb clarinet plays a tone below the written notes you are going to play. For example, if you play a G, the piano plays an F.
