We’ve spent the last few weeks looking at how you can tune your various string instruments by ear or with the aid of an electronic tuner. This week we’re going to continue that theme, but instead of focusing on a single instrument, we’re going to look at an entire section together as a whole: the woodwinds. Now, before anyone gets upset that their particular woodwind instrument has been glossed over, the reason we are able to look at most of the woodwinds together in one blog is because of the simplicity involved in tuning each of them, and the similarities between them.

Regardless of whether you’re part of a marching band, an orchestra, a concert band, or just playing solo, playing with perfect (or at least close) pitch is very important. Just like when we talked about violins last week, woodwinds need to not only be in tune with themselves, but also with the rest of the group and the band leader. And just like we’ve discussed in previous weeks, learning to tune your instrument might be a little tricky at first, but with practice it will almost become second nature.

This week we’ll begin with a number of basic steps each and every member of the woodwind family should take when preparing to tune their instrument. From there we’ll break down the specific tuning process for a number of the woodwind family. Don’t worry if you don’t see your particular instrument because, in many cases, the woodwinds tune in very similar manners.

Alright, let’s begin with some general good practices for getting your woodwind ready for tuning. Most of what will be discussed here is common sense, with some orchestral tradition thrown in for good measure.

• First and foremost it is important to arrive early to allow yourself plenty of time to make sure your instrument in properly in tune.
• If you play a double reed instrument, like the oboe or bassoon, make sure you get your reeds into water as soon as you can, even on the way to your practice or performance. You want your reeds to be well soaked when you begin to play.
• No matter your woodwind you will want to get some warm, wet air blowing through your instrument as soon as you can. Basically, begin blowing through it as soon as it is assembled. Remember, a cold instrument wont stay in tune.
• Try to warm up by playing. This will not only get that good warm, wet air passing through your instrument, but it will also limber up your fingers, and warm up your lungs, throat, and lips.
• When it is time to tune, the leader will signal the rest of the section. At this time someone (usually Oboe 1) will play a reference A for the rest of the section. Repeat the note yourself and adjust your instrument accordingly until you are in tune with Oboe 1. Try to tune quickly, but do so carefully. It may be slightly annoying for the group to wait for you, but it is better for everyone to be in tune together.
• Begin by tuning one of your A’s first. Once you match Oboe 1, tune a few other notes, especially D and F.

Now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s take a quick peek at how some of the major woodwinds can actually adjust their pitch.

Flute/Piccolo

The flute and piccolo are very simple to tune properly. Once you have the instrument itself nice and warm, tune your high and middle A’s, F’s, and D’s by pulling out or pushing in your headjoint. This should be done incrementally, and in very small movements of about 1 millimeter each. If your notes are flat, push the headjoint in, if they are sharp, pull it out.

Oboe

Tuning your oboe is a little different than a flute or piccolo. With the oboe most of the tuning is actually done with your lips. Use your lips to roll the reed into and out of your mouth to change the pitch of your notes. Rolling the reed in creates a sharper pitch, and a flatter one as it is rolled out. Be sure you are actually rolling the reed with your lips, not letting it slide between them.

Clarinet

Tuning a clarinet is very similar to the flute and piccolo. Between the mouth piece and the body of the instrument is the barrel. Where the barrel meets the upper part of the instrument is where you will be adjusting. If you are sharp, pull the barrel out a little, and push it in if you are flat. This adjustment can actually be made at every junction if necessary.

Bassoon

The bassoon is a bit of a combination between the tuning techniques of the flute and the oboe. For large adjustments, you will need to either push or pull at the bassoon’s bocal, which you might recognize as a mouth piece. Again, pulling if you are sharp and pushing if you are flat. Additionally, for more fine tuning, use the same rolling lip technique as the oboe.

Lastly, a final word on the temperature of your instrument. At the beginning we talk about making sure to get warm, wet air moving through your instrument as soon as it was assembled. But why is this so important, especially in colder climates? As you may remember from your science classes, materials expand when heated, and contract when cooled, and this applies to your instrument too. As it has been sitting in its case it has never been warmer than room temperature, and probably quite a bit colder, especially in winter. As you blow air through it to warm it, all the little bits of it are expanding to their fullest size. Any tuning done before it is able to fully expand will quickly be out of tune again.

Tuning is a small, simple, annoying thing, that if you get into the easy habit of doing, will always make your music sound better. Many musicians, especially beginners, neglect this simple bit of maintenance. But if you are able to create good tuning habits, you’ll be able to make sure your instrument is not only in tune with the rest of your section, but the ensemble as a whole, and with itself.