Instrument Tuning and Intonation
Why is important to play your instrument in tune with other instruments? The vast majority of amateur musicians do not make tuning and intonation a priority and this can lead to major problems down the road.
In order to really appreciate and improve as a musician you have to understand a little about the physics of intonation and how to play in tune. Playing in tune and learning to tune your instrument whether it be a guitar, clarinet, trumpet, or even a drum can be one of the most frustrating parts of the craft. Tuning an instrument requires that you adjust the tuning mechanisms on it to an accepted standard frequency. For most of the world this frequency is A=440. This means that when playing the note A your instrument will produce sound waves that vibrate at 440 vibrations per second. If your instrument is tuned to a higher frequency (A=442 for example) you will play "sharp." If it is tuned to a lower frequency it will be "flat."
To initially tune your instrument you can either rely on your ear (not recommended) or you can use an electronic tuner. Electronic instrument tuners come in all sizes from small pocket size models to large desktop models that have many advanced features. Tuning using an electronic tuner is very easy. Simply play the note you wish to tune and a meter on the device will tell you if you are sharp (above the pitch) or flat (below the pitch). Adjust the tuning screws on your guitar or the tuning barrel or slide on your wind instrument until the tuner says you are perfectly in tune.
In the real world playing in tune, especially when playing along with other musicians, is much more complicated than simply using an electronic tuner to adjust the overall intonation of your instrument. Individual instruments have different inherent intonation and tuning flaws that you must consider on a note by note basis. The more you pay attention to proper tuning and intonation the better you will become at being able to recognize when you are playing off of the correct pitch. Just keep practicing and use a tuner to spot check notes as you play.
