Playing in tune: hearing "beats" and matching pitch
Playing in tune isn't something you do once with a tuner at the start of rehearsal. It's listening and adjusting on every note. The good news is that you can learn to hear it, and there's a clear sound to listen for.
What out of tune sounds like
When two players play the same note slightly out of tune, you hear a wobble or pulse in the sound. These are called beats. The farther apart the two pitches are, the faster the beats. As they get closer, the beats slow down. When they disappear and the sound turns smooth, you're in tune.
Listen for it next time your section tunes. A fast "wah-wah-wah" means you're far apart. A slow pulse means you're close. No pulse means you've matched.
Sharp or flat?
Beats tell you that you're out of tune, but not which way. To find out, move your pitch a little in one direction. If the beats get faster, you went the wrong way. If they slow down, keep going.
| To go | Most instruments | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Lower (fix sharp) | Make the instrument longer | Pull out the tuning slide, head joint, or barrel |
| Higher (fix flat) | Make the instrument shorter | Push in the tuning slide, head joint, or barrel |
Tuning slides set your starting point. While you play, you also adjust with your air, embouchure and (on some instruments) alternate fingerings or slide positions.
Why your pitch moves
- Temperature: a cold instrument plays flat. Warm up before you tune.
- Dynamics: many instruments go sharp when loud and flat when soft. Flutes are especially sensitive.
- Certain notes: every instrument has notes that tend sharp or flat, like trumpet low D and C♯ (fingered 1-3 and 1-2-3), which run sharp. See the harmonic series and valves.
- Tired embouchure: late in rehearsal, pitch often sags. Rest when you can.
Matching pitch in a section
- Listen to the player next to you, or the principal player, before you play.
- Sing or hum the note in your head before you play it.
- Play softer than the person you're matching. It's easier to hear the beats.
- Adjust, listen again, and adjust again. Small moves are best.
Using a tuner the right way
A tuner is great for setting your tuning slide and learning your instrument's tendencies. But if you stare at the needle while you play, you stop listening. Try this: play a long tone with your eyes closed, then open them and check the tuner. Over time you'll hear the difference before you see it.
Ear Trainer helps too. Hearing intervals clearly makes it easier to tell when something sounds "off" in a chord. Start with Recognizing intervals by ear.