![]() However, if certain notes are consistently problematic, or highly out of tune, it can be a sign that you need to try alternate fingering for those notes. That’s normal, and the slight variations shouldn’t matter in the long run. You’ll probably notice that your clarinet isn’t perfectly in-tune on every note. If you choose to tune at the bell, it’s the same process repeated for the third time. However, this type of tuning is less common and isn’t necessary for most players and ensembles. Some experienced players will also adjust lower down at the bell of the clarinet, which affects mainly the highest notes. You’ll need to keep it properly aligned, or line it back up before you start playing. Remember to keep an eye on your bridge key as you make adjustments here. It takes similar adjustments, about ½ millimeter at a time, to tune it at the middle. Use the same not you started with at the barrel to test if your clarinet is in tune. The next step is in the middle of the clarinet. If you’re a little flat, you’ll use the same process but push the barrel about ½ millimeter in. Repeat until you’re right on the note, or only register very slightly sharp. Grip the barrel gently but firmly and pull it out about ½ millimeter to adjust. Starting at the lowest octave of the note, a low C, play the note and watch your tuner to see where you’re at. For learning purposes, you can tune to any note you like, but C and B flat are most common. A chromatic tuner with a snark (part of the tuner clipped on the clarinet itself) will be easiest to start.Ĭhances are, you’ll be just a touch sharp when you start tuning. However, in the meantime, you’ll want to have an aid handy. ![]() At this point you’ll want to have your tuner ready, or else the keyboard or other instruments you’re using to tune with.Įventually, you’ll know how to tune without a tuner, since you’ll know what each note and key should sound like. Once your clarinet is ready to tune, you should start at the barrel. It will take a little practice, but eventually, you’ll be able to hear when your clarinet is warmed up enough to tune. How long you’ll need to warm up your instrument depends on your clarinet and the room you’re playing in. Pay attention to your fingering and mouth position (embouchure) while you’re doing this, but the pitch of your instrument is less important and will change as you play. Take a few minutes to blow air through the clarinet, play a sustained low note, or run through some scales and fingering exercises. The very first thing you need to do to tune your clarinet is to warm it up. But this is also a matter of personal and ensemble preference. Most clarinets are also considered in tune when they are playing most notes very slightly sharp. Rarely will you be able to adjust only one section of your clarinet and be completely in tune. You should also know that different notes and different areas of your clarinet may need to be tuned separately. If you’re playing in a group, it may also be important to adjust the tuning of your instrument as you play, especially if the temperature in the room changes. A cold clarinet will tend to play most notes flat.īecause of that, it’s important to warm up your clarinet by playing for a few minutes before you tune. The warmer your instrument becomes, the sharper, or higher, it is likely to play. Playing your instrument will naturally warm it up since your breath is warm. That means that the temperature of the room you’re in, as well as the temperature of the instrument itself, affect its sound. One of the most common tunes you’ll need to learn, is how to tune a b flat clarinet.īut before you can learn any tuning, you need to know some basics about your new instrument. So, a concert C would have clarinets tuning to their D, and so on. Generally, to match the other instruments in an ensemble, you will tune one full note below the other instruments. It’s the responsibility of you, as a clarinet player, to know what note you should tune to. That means that the note you tune to, to match accompanying instruments, will not necessarily be the note they tune to. One of the first things you need to know when you’re tuning your clarinet is that clarinets are transposing instruments. We’ll cover the process of tuning, what you can expect from most clarinets, and the many different factors that can affect and improve the sound of your instrument. Still, you should be able to learn to tune your clarinet quickly. A little finicky at times, and it takes experience both as a musician and with your particular clarinet. ![]() It’s important to learn how to tune a clarinet early, so you can develop an ear for the notes and learn to tune on the fly.įortunately, the actual process of tuning a clarinet isn’t that difficult. But, they’re also an instrument that can quickly go out of tune and ruin the sound of your practice. Clarinets are some of the most flexible and beautiful sounding instruments for new musicians to learn. ![]()
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