So I have a Haynes Classic, flute. I've always had a bit of a pitch problem, keeping it sustained and such. My private lessons teacher says that it may have to do with how my flute is tuned. She said that a standard flute is tuned to A442, but she was saying that it is possible that my flute is tuned to A440. What does this mean, and do you think she is right? Or is it just lack of experience for me, I've been playing for a while, and I do consider myself to be an adequate player, but I don't know everything and I know I have a long way to go in my playing career (considering I'm only in high school). So what is the difference between a flute being tuned to A440 versus A442 and does it influence my pitch?
Thanks
-Rachel
Flute tuned to A440 versus A442
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pied_piper
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Re: Flute tuned to A440 versus A442
I don't wish to contradict your teacher, but she is only partly correct. "Standard" flutes can be tuned to A440, A442, or even A444. Many current flute makers construct flutes to any or all of those standards.
Your Haynes Classic model is tuned to A442. See their website: http://www.wmshaynes.com/catalog/classic.html
In reality, the official world standard for tuning is A440. It is defined by the International Standards Organization as ISO 16. That standard was set in 1955 and reaffirmed in 1975. Some orchestras follow that standard, but some do not. Some orchestras tune to A442, A443, or even A444. See this for further details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert_pitch
Now, with all that said, intonation or playing in tune is the responsibility of the player. Intonation is a combination of the flute itself AND the player. No matter which pitch standard your flute was built to, with proper lip control and a good ear, you can play your flute "in tune". It does take practice and careful attention, listening and adjusting your lip and airstream as needed.
Other factors that contribute to proper intonation are the amount of headjoint "draw" (how far you have to pull out the headjoint to tune your A) and setting the headjoint cork to the proper position. Have you checked the position of your headjoint cork? Do you know how to do that? If not, ask your teacher to help you check it. If she is not sure, see this thread for a discussion about how to properly set your headjoint cork:
http://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtopi ... ork#p24351
Do you find that all of your notes are a little bit out of tune or is it only certain notes? Some notes on the flute tend to be slightly out of tune more than others. Tell us which notes are the most problematic for you.
I hope that helps, but feel free to ask more questions if you need to.
Your Haynes Classic model is tuned to A442. See their website: http://www.wmshaynes.com/catalog/classic.html
In reality, the official world standard for tuning is A440. It is defined by the International Standards Organization as ISO 16. That standard was set in 1955 and reaffirmed in 1975. Some orchestras follow that standard, but some do not. Some orchestras tune to A442, A443, or even A444. See this for further details: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert_pitch
Now, with all that said, intonation or playing in tune is the responsibility of the player. Intonation is a combination of the flute itself AND the player. No matter which pitch standard your flute was built to, with proper lip control and a good ear, you can play your flute "in tune". It does take practice and careful attention, listening and adjusting your lip and airstream as needed.
Other factors that contribute to proper intonation are the amount of headjoint "draw" (how far you have to pull out the headjoint to tune your A) and setting the headjoint cork to the proper position. Have you checked the position of your headjoint cork? Do you know how to do that? If not, ask your teacher to help you check it. If she is not sure, see this thread for a discussion about how to properly set your headjoint cork:
http://www.fluteland.com/board/viewtopi ... ork#p24351
Do you find that all of your notes are a little bit out of tune or is it only certain notes? Some notes on the flute tend to be slightly out of tune more than others. Tell us which notes are the most problematic for you.
I hope that helps, but feel free to ask more questions if you need to.
"Never give a flute player a screwdriver."
--anonymous--
--anonymous--