Being in tune is very important in all types of music. Whether you play a string, woodwind, or brass instrument, tuning to a fixed note is something we all experience daily. There is a good chance you don’t have perfect pitch either, so using some kind of tuner or fixed note is something we all get familiar with. Most tuners are also extremely portable, making tuning on the go a very simple task. Since there are so many types of tuners it is important to know what is out there, and the positives and negatives of using them.
Usually tuning happens every time you pick up an instrument. Before electronic tuners were made, the best way to get in tune was either with a pitch pipe, or by using a piano. Now there are dozens of companies that make electronic tuners that are relatively inexpensive. You may choose to go with a chromatic tuner that uses a built in microphone. This is one of the most popular choices available, and since it is chromatic, it will be able to pick up any note that is played and tell you if it is in tune or not. There is usually a screen of some kind powered by two AA or AAA batteries that shows you the reading of the pitches received. Keep in mind only a single pitch can be processed at a time with these tuners. There are also settings to adjust the frequency of the pitches received. Depending on what country you live in, 440 or 442 hz will most likely be the constant setting.
If you happen to be a string player there is another option for you. The clip on vibration tuner is becoming very popular lately for many reasons. It clips onto any part of the instrument and reads your pitch based on the vibrating frequency the wood is making when a string is plucked. This allows for tuning while other instruments are playing since it eliminates the need for a microphone. For electric instruments, tuning acoustically (not plugged in) is also possible because of these inventions.
There is a downside to using electronic tuners however. Before their invention musicians relied on their ears to find the right pitch. By continuous playing a fixed note on a pitch pipe, tuning fork, or piano, you would compare your instrument and adjust until it was in tune. Unfortunately this probably happens less since the invention of electronic tuners providing less time for ear development. We do however gain more time for music making and ensemble playing as a result.
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Jason, I really like this post! Tuners are an essential staple for musicians to keep in check with their instruments before entering a rehearsal or performance, but I also agree that their downside could be less development of the ear. Before college, my teachers tuned every wind player before a rehearsal and performance to the tuner, but now, we all tune within the ensemble. It doesn't matter what frequency we're at; as long as we are all in tune with each other, we combine our talents to create wonderful music.
ReplyDeleteTuners are an essential tool that all musicians really need. There are those lucky few who get blessed with perfect pitch but for the rest of us, to get a perfectly tuned instrument we must use this tool. We are really lucky to be born in the age we are in because of how easily accessible all these musical tool are for us. I mean a few batteries and a 1/4 inch cable to have a perfectly tunes instrument, we are blessed. I m glad you brought this technology up a lot of people would over look this small but very significant technology for musicians.
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