Tuning

LisaFlute2 · Post by **LisaFlute2** » Wed Mar 23, 2005 11:01 am

In class, our teacher will tune our flutes by ear. The classroom is on the cold side, so it tunes differently than it does at home, where it is warmer. I have a chromatic tuner for my guitar. Can I use that to tune my flute with? And if so, should I have it set to 440 or 442? My flute was bought new in Sept. of 2004. I have tried to tune it with it, and I find that if I have it set to 442, I don't have to pull the headjoint out as much, but when I do it to 440, I have to pull it out around 1/4" or more, which seems like way too much to me. I have checked the headcork, I think that is what is called, and find that I have to loosen it one turn, to get it centered, and that helps to where I don't have to pull headjoint out so far also. How do you all tune your flutes? Since it is chromatic, I do try and use a natural note to tune it with...like the natural E, is that wrong to do? Any help with this would be great.

bladibla · Post by **bladibla** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:07 am

You should really get a piano/Keyboard for tuning purposes..

MeLizzard · Post by **MeLizzard** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 7:35 am

Most newer flutes are pitched at A442. Internationally, the pitch standard has been rising for many years

, and this gives us the option of playing more in-tune in a variety of ensembles. (My college orchestra suffered from chronic upward pitch-creep--dang violins!! At a particularly frustrating point of one rehearsal, while experiencing EXTREME difficulty getting everyone tuned, the trumpet player announced he would go no higher, as his tuner indicated we were already at A445

) I usually tune with my digital tuner (Korg DT3), to A and then the Ds on my flute. B-flat, the frequent band-tuning note, is super-sharp on most flutes, so if we pull our headjoints to make B-flat flatter, everything else is really flat

. It's probably best to practice with your flute at its proper tuning, and certainly to know your flute's intonation tendencies, but, ultimately, we play with other people, not our tuners, so we have to stay flexible. Moving the cork is perfectly kosher, if it works for you; mine is pushed in a bit. If it's too far in, your flute will be difficult to play in tune with itself.

LisaFlute2 · Post by **LisaFlute2** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 10:15 am

Thank you, my tuner is a Korg too, but is a chromatic one, and I know the teacher tunes the flutes to Bb, but that didn't seem to be working with the tuner, so that is why I went to a natural note instead and I did notice that 442 seemed to do it better than 440, which I do with my guitar, which I have only been playing since Dec. I am pretty good with tuning by ear, except for, I didn't think about tuning it with my tuner, until just recently and had been having it on the sharp side, and have gotten use to the Bb sounding sharp, so now I am trying to retune my ear to what it should sound like at home. I can't go by the room we have our lessons in. In the winter, it is quite cold, and my flute head is pushed in more when it is that way. So when I am there, I just do what the teacher wants, as like you said, we are playing with other instruments, and he knows what he is doing.

As for the keyboard. I don't have room for one. I know they are small, but so is our home and with the whole family into music, and each one of us having at least 2 instruments, with my husband having 4, every corner is being used already. My daughter has a teeny tiny keyboard, that I bought years ago at a garage sale, but it doesn't sound like a real keyboard, so we haven't been using that for tuning at all. It is more of a toy model. Thank you again for your replies. At least I know, now I am on the right track with my flute, in the way of tuning. Should I switch to a natural D for tuning, though? Or is the natural E ok?

powayflute01 · Post by **powayflute01** » Thu Mar 24, 2005 4:07 pm

Years ago, I had learned that we were ALWAYS supposed to tune to A440. When I entered high school, we usually tuned to A441 (and my college band didn't use tuners and was always horribly out of tune and sounded terrible!) However, if you're playing with an ensemble, the most important thing is to tune TO the ensemble. If the entire band is tuned to A443 and you tune your flute to A440 and maintain that you're correct because you're more in tune, you're really going to stand out and the ensemble's pitch center will suffer as a result.
I generally use an A (A1, then A2) to tune my flute, with my tuner set at A441. I also will usually play a few scales (a Bb major and an A major) just to get a general idea of where my pitch center is and to kind of refresh my memory of what exactly I have to do for each note to be in tune.

LisaFlute2 · Post by **LisaFlute2** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 9:57 am

Thank you, these are great tips. I do tune to where the teacher wants me, but usually when he tunes us, we don't have time to do too much before class starts and there is no place to go to try and see what my tuner says, so I just do what he says. Thank you again, this is really helping me.

BrightFlute · Post by **BrightFlute** » Fri Mar 25, 2005 9:37 pm

I would ask my teacher if their tuner is set to A440 or A442. Although most bands tune to A440, most orchestras tune to A442. Get used to tuning to either at home. - Terri

LisaFlute2 · Post by **LisaFlute2** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 9:44 am

Thank you. The teacher doesn't do it with a tuner, he does it by ear. The room is so cold during the winter, that it is hard to get us in tune at all. The class is held in a backroom at a local music store. The heat has gone out and they store hasn't fixed it back there. I literally get there early so I can plug in a heater that I bring. So it is hard for me to go by there and compare it to home. I prefer using the 442 with my flute. It doesn't seem to want to tune to 440 without pulling the head out by a half inch, and that throws my fingering off. Anyway, thank you. In class I do what the teacher says, at home I have been using my tuner for the past few days and it sounds much better.

boglarka · Post by **boglarka** » Sat Mar 26, 2005 12:18 pm

Hi,
I've used a chromatic tuner for years, so you can use that. If you use a keyboard (acoustic, that is), make sure it's in tune and ask the tuner what he tunes to.

All the info you received about 440, 441, 442 are true. Just ask when playing with others!

As far as your teacher and the classroom goes...especially in a cold room, it's VERY important that the instruments are at playing temperature (not ice cold out of the cases), because as metal warms up, the pitch will also go higher (at different rates for different people/instruments).

My only question is to whose A or B-flat your teacher tunes to...If it is a keyboard, then you can find out if it's calibrated to 440, 441 or 442 by taking your tuner close to it and checking it yourself!

One last thought...tuning IS done by ear in general terms, as acoustic instruments are not perfect and players' ears have to be open at all times to make necessary adjustments (I understand this is hard to do in student ensembles where the pitch may travel in all directions...)
have fun!

LisaFlute2 · Post by **LisaFlute2** » Sun Mar 27, 2005 11:51 pm

Actually, there isn't a piano within range to tune to, so he uses the bells (glockenspiel) to tune us by. The range sounds good. And we all warm up before class. He would love to find another place to rent and do the classes but so far hasn't been able to find anything that he could still charge all of us the reasonable rate he is. He is wonderful teacher. I couldn't ask for a better one.
Thank you all. You all have been so helpful. I am glad I found this board. It will help when I can't get ahold of the teacher to ask my questions.

bandnerd · Post by **bandnerd** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 7:51 pm

What if you don't have a tuner? I don't have one. I have a piano, but it is difficult for me to hear both the note of the piano and the note of my flute. Besides, I'm not all that sure that my piano's in tune. Is it absolutely necessary to have a tuner for when I am just practicing at home?

BrightFlute · Post by **BrightFlute** » Tue Jun 28, 2005 9:50 pm

BandNerd,
No, you DON'T have to have a tuner, especially for just practicing at home, but it's a great suggestion to add to a Christmas "wish list" to give to family and friends. They come in all price ranges. The more you try to tune, the better your ear gets. Having a tuner helps two ways. Obviously, you KNOW you are in tune, also, it serves as a constant standard to help train your ear for when you are without the tuner.

By the way, I noticed your location was North Texas. I teach flute in the North Texas area. Actually, Bedford. If you are close and need lessons, send me a private message. - Terri

kodalyflutist · Post by **kodalyflutist** » Wed Jun 29, 2005 3:41 am

Here is a great article on tuning a flute:

http://www.langemusic.com/Articles/flutetune.htm