Intonation - Tips for Tuning (Part 1)

After adjudicating several wind ensemble competitions, one thing continues to stand out in my mind as the watershed between "good" ensembles and "great" ensembles: Intonation. Why does the Nashville String Machine sound so wonderful on orchestra demos and our groups, playing the same pieces, sound weak in comparison, even when we play all the right notes? Well, making recordings is their job (that's why they get the big bucks). But the major difference is intonation, or playing in tune with each other. Not just on one pitch (although that's a good place to start) but on every note.

Here are a few things your players can do to help them play better in tune:

Buy a small digital chromatic tuner. Prices range from around $20 on up to $100+. Some even come with a clip to attach the tuner to your music stand so you can do a spot check in rehearsal. If you cannot purchase one, see if you can borrow one for a short period of time and try it out.

Now that you have a tuner, use it at home when you practice. (You do practice, don't you?) When practicing, check each note as you play and make adjustments to your instrument or your embouchure. Realize that your instrument is not perfect. Some notes will never play in tune - without adjustments. Every named instrument and named product has inherent intonation problems and every personal instrument does as well. Get to know your instrument and fix the spots.

Arrive early to warm up and "quick tune" before the rehearsal begins.

Ralph Carmichael, the world-renown arranger and producer, once told me that poor intonation results from lack of a player's concentration. Concentration does play a big role in achieving good intonation. Always try to focus when playing.

Intonation - Tips for Tuning (Part 2)

Last week, we talked about the importance of your player's responsibility to achieve good intonation. Here are a few things you can do as director to help the ensemble play in tune with each other:

Encourage them to arrive early and do an individual "quick tune" before rehearsal begins. Do not underestimate your authority as their leader. They will listen and do what you ask them to do. Never demand, but always encourage.

Do an ensemble "quick tune" to start rehearsal. Strings always tune on "A." Tune strings first...then tune the rest of the group. Common brass and woodwind tuning note is concert "Bb."

Wait until later in your rehearsal to do a "master" tuning. The player's instruments will be warmed up and closer to a consistent pitch.

Two philosophies in "master" tuning: (1) Tune all instruments at once, letting each person listen to and adjust their own instrument, and (2) Tune each player individually. Both are fine, but one is better (can you guess which one?) While tuning your players, move into the ensemble area as opposed to standing at the podium - it is less intimidating. This may be the only close contact some of your players have with you each week. Tuning individually will also allow a quick "chop break" for your brass and wind players and for them to have some quiet fellowship time. Note: Use a tuner (either strobe or electronic) to save guesswork on pitch.

Intonation (Part 3)

Here are more ideas that you can use to help your players play in tune with each other:

Make sure your piano (or other constant pitch source) is tuned and on pitch. Rehearsal instruments and service instruments should be tuned to the exact same pitch (A 440 is the standard) Check the tuning of these instruments often. Make sure they are tuned at least 3 times per year and more in some areas of the country (more humidity or heat - more tuning). Your players must have consistency with the constant pitch source if you want their internal pitch consistent.

Try using another note for tuning brass and winds. Try concert "F" . Several good things can happen by using concert "F": (1) trumpets, baritones, tubas and clarinets are on open fingering positions as well as trombones in first position; (2) Concert F is an easy note to play at mezzo forte (mf) and (3) It is a good, "singable" pitch.

Try having your players hear their pitch from the piano (or constant pitch source), hum the pitch, play their instrument and then adjust their instrument as necessary. Do this as a group. Concert "F" is a good note for this method.

Understanding music (music theory) also helps intonation! Insert "nuggets" of music theory in rehearsal! Having a class on music theory at your church will help the musicianship of your instrumental group and your choir!

Intonation (Part 4)

Here are more helpful hints for getting your group in tune with each other:

Try using dynamics while tuning. Start at mezzo forte (mf) and use hand gestures for crescendos and decrescendos. Listen for pitch changes at the extremes, pianissimo (pp) and fortissimo (ff). Concert "F" is a good note for this exercise.

Begin by having all instruments play concert tuning note - Bb, F, or your choice. Have your lowest pitched instruments (celli, basses, bass clarinets, bassoons, tubas, electric bass) stay on the fundamental note while you move the rest of the group up and down the diatonic scale one note at a time (no interval jumps). Use hand gestures to change the direction (up or down). Once they become familiar with this exercise, you can then move different instrument sections up or down diatonically at different times.

Play concert tuning note - Bb, F. Upon your hand gesture, have the players change their embouchure (or hand position on a stringed instrument) to lower or raise their pitch slightly. Warning: It will sound like utter chaos! Then, with a different hand gesture, have them move back to their original pitch.

Record your rehearsal and play parts of it for them. The tape does not lie! It is possible that your players think they are playing in tune. Help them hear the truth - in love - what you have been telling them!

Your group's intonation will improve as they play together and grow together in Christ. Always have a spiritual rallying point in your rehearsal, i.e.; Devotion or devotional thought, testimony, prayer time, etc. Encourage them to have a quiet time with the Lord everyday, to pray and to witness in His name.

Do you have a method of tuning that works well for you and your group? If so, Email me at <skirby@idlewild.org> and I'll pass your good idea to everyone!