 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bahamutofskycon
Date: 2007-05-08 05:32
Does anyone have any advice/techniques/exercises/etc on how to practice improving intonation in a private practice setting?
I have a chromatic tuner that I use regularly when I practice. I don't always have access to a piano (and when I do there's no guarantee that it is in tune).
Overall my intonation is good and consistant (I think and I have been told). Mostly I'm looking to improve the nuances - being perfectly in tune at extreme dynamics, on those particular notes on my clarinet that tend to be a little off, etc. As of May 12, 2007 I'll have a masters degree in clarinet performance - so that gives you some idea of where I'm at playing-wise.
I'm just looking for some ideas on what other people do to practice intonation when they're alone.
Much appreciated,
Steve Ballas
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2007-05-08 05:53
Most clarinet players don't seem to spend much time regularly practising intonation, which is why we play out of tune a lot of the time.
Here's some intonation exercises that I use:
1. Playing one note every 4 beats with metronome at 60. Checking on a tuner to see if it's in tune at various dynamics.
2. I bought a small (relatively cheap) electronic keyboard. I made sure that I got one that can play sustained notes without vibrato, and one that you can change the tuning of (for me anywhere between A=415- 443, depending on where I am playing) I play octaves, unisons, 3rds, 4ths, 5ths, and 6ths above and below the fixed note. 3rds and 6ths particularly need a lot of adjustment to be pure. If you practise in the higher register you can clearly hear the difference tones that are created when you play an interval, so you can check that the difference tone is in tune to make sure that you've found the pure interval.
3. Recording myself. Even when I think I'm in tune I'm often suprised to hear that certain notes aren't in playback. It's nice to have a 3rd ear.
I find it good to spend a short amount of time daily on intonation. It's good to do this early in the day because then I find that for the rest of the day my ear is more acutely aware of tuning.
Post Edited (2007-05-08 05:54)
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2007-05-08 13:57
There are several tuning CD's you can use that provide tones and chords to compare your pitch. There is even one that uses clarinet tones and has exercises to play for developing clarinet intonation.
Also useful is a tuner pick up that plugs into your tuner and attaches gently to you instrument. With the pick up attached, your tuner only reacts to the pitches you are playing on your instrument. So, if you have an outside source like a keyboard, or a simple metronome with some sound, you can compare your pitch to the sound source while looking visually at the tuner to see the results of your adjustments.
This is a good visual aid to a process of training your ear and your memory of where pitches need to be placed for good intonation. In addition, since the rest of us are not necessarily in tune, you can work for flexibility of intonation needed to play with other musicians. But first, taking the time to train yourself to hear perfect intonation in different settings is the way to go.
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
Post Edited (2007-05-08 15:11)
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2007-05-08 14:42
Larry Guy's book "Intonation Training for Clarinet " is a great resource, with a full plan with daily exercises.
Playing with accompaniment is also crucial, try to get a few play along CDs. I also hear SmartMusic is a decent software, but I have never tried it.
-S
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-05-08 15:44
I know you said how do you practice intonation when you're on your own (and I glance at a tuner to check my intonation once I've been playing the note for a few seconds), but if you can get a small group together, then what about playing duets, trios, quartets etc. with other clarinet or wind players?
This way you will (all) have to learn to adjust your pitch while playing to stay in tune with each other. Listen to the tuning on intervals, and adjust to bring the intervals in tune. Though it's more difficult with three or more players as you can be in tune with one player, but not with another - so you've all got to use your ears and listen to each other.
And don't assume once you've all tuned up that you're all still in tune during the time you're playing.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: lowclarinetman
Date: 2007-05-09 12:43
One exercise that I do and have my students do is this:
Set your metronome(or anything that can play a steady in tune tone) so that it is playing a tone(works best with metronomes that will play at least one octave chromatically).
Play the scale slowly while the metronome is producing the tonic of the scale. Listen like mad to the intervals.
I like this because it trains you to "hear" intervals. Playing with a tuner is a good exercise to get more or less in the right area of a note, but I can't tell you how many people I have played with that insist that if it is right with their tuner they are in tune. That is of course not always the case.
Playing in tune is just a series of compromises. You have to be willing and able to move. Just as there are tendencies for certain notes to be out of tune on the clarinet the other woodwind instruments have similar, but fustratingly different tendencies. Knowing where the other people in your section tend to play is also key to playing in tune.
hope this helps
bob hoit
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2007-05-09 15:00
John's suggestion of the tuning CD is a good idea. That helps to train your ear to know the correct pitch.
Also, my prof used to have us do long tones with a chromatic tuner for at least 30 min. of a warmup.
Tuning is absolutely so important. You can be a great technical player and unable to hear the correct pitch. If you can't play in tune you won't be asked to play much. There's nothing worse than a tone deaf clarinetist.
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2007-05-09 15:51
Tuner's have two useful purposes - 1.) work with one if you will be playing with piano, as both the tuner and piano are based on equal temperment. 2) If the tuner has a drone (preferably moveable pitch), use it in the method described above by lowclarinetman. This method will be an aid for learning how to tune in a non-piano ensemble.
Tuning each note to the tuner will not help you play in tune in orchestra or other ensembles not using piano. If you are playing 2nd clarinet in orchestra and have the 3rd in an F major triad, you wont be in tune if your A is dead center / 0 cents.
A tuner is also useful in gaging how your intonation changes during crescendo's and decrescendo's.
Post Edited (2007-05-09 15:54)
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Author: bahamutofskycon
Date: 2007-05-09 16:42
Great advice all around!
I do realize that the tuner is not infallable in all cases and that playing with piano or other instrumentalists is best whenever possible. That's something that I try to do as much as possible.
I will definitely incorporate these suggestions into my daily routine.
Thanks so much,
Steve Ballas
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2007-05-21 18:56
griffinity signs himself as the Cheetomeister...what is that?
His posts are usually OK...but inquiring minds must know.
Clarinet Redux
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2007-05-22 12:25
I personally don't like to use a tuner too much.
Going back to using a keyboard - I use a small weight and plop it down on a key (in church organ mode) to increase my ability to recognize pitch and also to listen to correct my intonation, instead of visually.
I find it helpful because when i'm playing i'm normally watching the music and not my tuner.
You can make it more difficult by having someone else pick a key on the keyboard, or changing it's relative pitch up or down, or a different tone altogether.
i'm also curious on what a Cheetomeister is
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Author: LonDear
Date: 2007-05-22 13:12
When googling Cheetomester, it appears to translate roughly as "Master of the Oboe BBoard".
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