Effective Tuning in your Orchestra Part 2: Later Years

2017 FOA Fall Conference, Hilton Orlando

Matthew Davis, Harrison School for the Arts

Individual Tuning vs Orchestral (Group) Tuning

Individual Tuning

• Set-up of the instrument• Age of strings• Condition of fine tuner and pegs• Mechanics of the peg• Sensitivity/de-sensitivity to the pitch• Pluck-tune vs bow-tune method• Reference pitch (Drones)• Tuning by 5th

• Tuning with harmonics

How Old Are Your Strings?

Do they look like this? Maybe like this?

Recommended Strings

High-End StringsEvah Pirazzi (Pirastro)

Obigato (Pirastro)

Larsen

Belcanto (Thomastik Infeld)

Kaplan (D’Addario)

Mid-Grade StringsDominant (Thomastik Infeld)

Vision (Thomastik Infeld)

Jargar

Helicore (D’Addario)

Zyex (D’Addario)

Entry-Level StringsAlphayue (Thomastik Infeld)

Red Label (Super-Sensitive)

Prelude (D’Addario)

Ascente (D’Addario)

Workable Fine Tuners

Mechanics of the Pegs

• Once opposite side, then wind to peg box

• Keep it neat

• Use peg compound (peg dope) if pegs are tight

• Push in while tuning to keep pegs to stay (conical shape)

• Use counter pressure

• Use graphite at bridge and at nut for lubrication

Tuning Help

• Sensitivity/De-Sensitivity to the pitch• Teach same/different: are the notes “fighting” of “melting

together”• The sounds should “fit together” or “sound like one”• Listen to the “beats” of out of tune strings

More Tuning Help

• Pluck-tune method vs bow-tune method (counter pressure against pegs)

• Reference pitch (drone)• STOP to hear reference pitch• Tuning with steady bow variables (speed/weight/placement)• Tune string by string but learn to tune in perfect 5ths• Use a tuner as an aid

Tuning Flow Chart

Tuning with Harmonics

Cello Bass

Orchestra Class Tuning

• Tuning as beginning of class procedures• Tune before you tune• Tune so you can hear, but not to interfere with your standpartner• Tune at the tip or upper half of the bow• Sing A, then sing down to D, etc.…• Guide students through hand motions – students must be actively

involved in the physical motion/avoid the temptation to do it for them

• Tune from the bass on up

Tuning in Alternating Fifths

Closing Thoughts

• Everyone can play in tune• It all starts from the open strings• Foster a culture of sensitivity to the pitch

Questions?Matthew Davismatthew.davis@polk-fl.net