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by Lauren Rongo  Copyright 2001 by Lauren Rongo. May not be reproduced in any form without prior consent. All rights reserved. |
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by Lauren Rongo Copyright 2001 by Lauren Rongo. May not be reproduced in any form without prior consent. All rights reserved. |
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What causes imperfect
intonation? Why, our instruments of course! There is
not a flute made that plays perfectly in tune. A perfect flute is
impossible
to produce. Many of the newer flutes have better scales than their
predecessors,
but perfection is still not in the flute that you or I own. We must
depend
upon our own ears to compensate and adjust.
Learn your own instruments idiosyncrasies. The best way to do this is to use a tuner. Mark each note of the chromatic scale with a sign that lets you know whether that particular note is sharp or flat. BUT, do not always rely on a tuner, either. There are many times when your ear is the best "tuner." Practice intervals with the piano. Of course, you must use a piano that has been tuned. Octaves are also very helpful for intonation practice. Another idea is to use the harmonic fingering for a note and match the pitch with the regular note. One of the best ways to check your ear and intonation is to play in flute groups. When two flutes are perfectly in tune a third pitch can be heard. It will sound a little like a buzzing sound. This extra tone is not always audible with three or four flutes, but sometimes it will be heard. Generally speaking the flute is sharp in the high and flat in the low. BUT, again this is not always 100% true. I usually instruct my students to open up their teeth and drop the jaw for the high notes. DON'T Pinch! When playing in the lower register, raise your chin so you do not go flat. Remember to always
be flexible and not assume you are the "right one." Even if your
note is perfectly in tune with the tuner, if it does not fit in with
the
group you are playing with, it is out of tune!
Flutingly
yours, |
