Intonation, Tuning, and Blending By Hilary Janysek

What’s the difference? 1. Intonation: (noun) The correct or accurate pitching (placement) of intervals; the capacity to play or sing in tune. 2. Tuning: (verb) to adjust to the correct or given standard of pitch. Agreement of pitch 3. Blending: (verb) (general)To mix in order to obtain a particular kind or quality; to have no perceptible separation. (music) The act of altering one’s tone color, vibrato, articulation, and style to match one or more sounds.

Other confusing terms Scale: ◦ A group of notes taken in ascending or descending order, especially within one octave ◦ the tuning scale, fixed intervals as in equal temperament Pitch: ◦ An absolute frequency assigned to a certain note ◦ The auditory property of a note in relation to others Tone: ◦ A pitch ◦ Quality or character of sound

Why is it hard for young flute students to play in tune? Must develop a centered, resonant tone. What does “centered” mean? ◦ Practice finding center How can we develop resonance? ◦ Moyse De La Sanorite No. 1 (Figure 1) ◦ Melody in a Major Scale (Figure 2)

1. Intonation Know the tendencies of every note. ◦ In general (Figure 3) ◦ On your flute (Figure 4) Practice centering tough notes. Then once you can play the note in tune by itself, practice in intervals with a drone. ◦ Moyse De La Sanorite, p.6 (Figure 5) ◦ Favorite melodies ◦ Add dynamics, and varied articulations What do we listen for?

1. Intonation, cont. Difference Tones ◦ Also known as Resonance or Ghost Tones ◦ The faint presence of a tone whose frequency is equal to the difference between the frequencies of the two notes actually being played. Usually an octave or two lower. ◦ The pitches being played must be adjusted so the fundamental sounds in tune.  Trio for two flutes (Figure 6)

2. Tuning True or False? If you have a good understanding of your instrument’s intonation, you don’t have to worry about tuning. FALSE! tuning is a life-long journey that depends on which instruments you are playing with, what climate you are playing in, and what style the ensemble wishes to portray.

2. Tuning, cont. Learn about other instruments and their intonation tendencies to be able to predict tuning problems ◦ Ex: clarinet, violin, oboe Just because both instruments both sound in tune individually, does not mean they will sound in tune together. Why is this?

2. Tuning chords and intervals Equal Temperament vs Pure intonation ◦ Major chord ◦ Minor chord IntervalRelative Adjustment Major 2 nd + 2 Minor 3 rd + 8 Major 3 rd - 7 Perfect 4 th - 1 Perfect 5 th + 1 Major 6 th - 8 Major 7 th - 6 From the Trevor Wye Practice Book, Volume 4: Intonation and Vibrato

3. Blending Two flutes can be playing in tune individually, but sound out of tune. Why? Two ways to blend: 1+1=2 VS 1+1=1 What variables can be changed to blend with other instruments? How? ◦ Tone color, vowel shape, intensity, vibrato, air speed

Conclusion What is the key to good intonation, tuning and blend? Don’t forget to use your ears! Remember, it is a life-long journey; a marathon, not a sprint.

Sources Debost, Michel. The Simple Flute: From A to Z. New York: Oxford University Press, Moyse, Marcel. De La Sonorite: Art et Technique. Paris: Alphonse Leduc, Reichart, M.A. 7 Daily Exercises for the Flute. New York: G. Shirmer, Wye, Trevor. Trevor Wye Practice Book for the Flute,.Vol. 4, Intonation and Vibrato. London: Novello Limited,1983. Krell, John C. Kincaidiana: A Flute Player’s Notebook. 2nd ed. Santa Clarita, CA: National Flute Association, Definitions of terms taken from