Lesson 84: Virtuoso Studies, Part 4 — Intonation
- Find notes on your recorder that sound sharp or flat.
- Choose a small change that brings each problem note into tune.
Listen for the pitch to settle.
Intonation means playing in tune. Check a note several times before changing its fingering or breath pressure.
The diagnostic
Play a slow chromatic scale at medium volume against a tuner; mark notes that stay sharp or flat, then check:
- Low notes at comfortable pressure.
- Cross-fingered notes.
- Upper-register notes.
- The same notes at different dynamics.
Three fixes
- Alternate fingering — use a trusted chart for your recorder model.
- Breath pressure — less usually lowers pitch and more raises it; keep the sound clear.
- The joint — pull the head joint out to lower overall pitch, push in to raise it.
The drone drill
Play against a held D; nearby pitches make a pulsing sound.
Play against a held G; nearby pitches make a pulsing sound.
The daily warm-up
Each day:
- Check problem notes with a tuner app or tuned instrument.
- Record a steady tonic note; play the scale against its playback.
- Repeat problem notes with your chosen adjustment, then try them in a phrase.
Now play these
- Telemann: Duet Sonata TWV 40:104 — complete first part
- Drone the long notes.
- Handel: HWV 362 — complete Larghetto and Adagio
- The long held notes are the test.
When tonic, fifth and octave settle consistently against the drone, move on to Lesson 85.