Omar Khalid
Plastic recorders are usually sharp in pitch and need to be adjusted to achieve the best intonation. The pitch of a plastic recorder can be adjusted by changing the position of the holes or their diameter. For instance, a note that is too low can be tuned by moving the hole up the recorder or enlarging it. The pitch can also be adjusted by warming the recorder before playing, as the temperature of the recorder affects its pitch. Additionally, the pitch can be altered by pulling out the head joint, which is often done when playing with other recorders to match their pitch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Adjusting pitch | Move the position of the hole up or down the recorder or modify its diameter |
| Hole position | Moving the hole towards the windway will raise the pitch, moving it away will lower the pitch |
| Hole diameter | Enlarging the hole will raise the pitch, reducing it will lower the pitch |
| Notes | Notes above F3 cannot be tuned easily |
| Octaves | Placing wax halfway between the labium and the note's hole will reduce the octave, placing it closer to the hole will enlarge it |
| Wax type | Beeswax |
| Wax application | Heat a small metal point, touch it to the wax, and place a drop inside the hole |
| Environmental factors | Temperature and humidity can affect pitch |
| Blowing | Blowing harder raises the pitch, blowing softer lowers it |
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What You'll Learn
Adjusting the pitch of a plastic recorder by warming it up
Plastic recorders are usually sharp in pitch. Warming up a plastic recorder can help adjust its pitch. However, it is important to note that warming up a recorder may not always be necessary or recommended, especially if you are not playing in extreme climates or transporting your recorder in extreme conditions.
To adjust the pitch of a plastic recorder by warming it up, you can try the following methods:
Warming the Recorder with Your Breath
One common method is to warm the recorder with your breath by blowing into it, covering the window with your thumb to prevent sound. However, this method may not be effective as the expanding air cools the instrument, and there is also a risk of damaging the labium edge. A safer alternative is to breathe into the recorder through the window, the finger holes, or gently blow through the bell, filling the instrument with warm air and instantly raising the pitch.
Using External Heat Sources
- Hot Air Paint Stripping Gun: For a more drastic solution to loose plastic recorder joints, a hot air paint stripping gun can be used. By holding the recorder body in your fist, you can prevent overheating the plastic while warming the tenon. After allowing the parts to cool, the joints should fit together more snugly.
- Warm Metal: To adjust the pitch of specific notes, you can place wax in the bore of the recorder and apply a warm piece of metal to make it melt and adhere, widening or narrowing the octaves.
Environmental Temperature
The pitch of a recorder can also be affected by the environmental temperature. As a hall warms up, a recorder will go sharper, while other instruments like a harpsichord will go flatter. Therefore, warming up your recorder to match the environmental temperature can help improve ensemble tuning.
It is important to note that warming up a recorder may not always solve pitch problems, and other factors such as humidity, breath pressure, and the inherent tuning of the instrument also come into play. Additionally, always be cautious when applying heat to a plastic recorder to avoid any damage or overheating.
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Using wax to adjust the size of a hole
To modify the pitch of a note, you must adjust either the position of the appropriate hole or its diameter. A note that is too low can be tuned by moving the hole up the instrument (towards the windway) or by enlarging it. Conversely, a note that is too high can be tuned by moving the hole down the instrument or by reducing its diameter.
Wax can be used to reduce the size of a hole. Beeswax is a suitable type of wax for this purpose. To do this, you will need a small metal point, such as the handle of a needle file. Begin by heating the metal point over a flame, then touch the wax to melt it, and pick up a drop of melted wax with the metal point. Quickly place the drop of wax in the right position inside the hole. It will harden as soon as it comes into contact with the wood. Use the same tool to spread the wax along the undercutting.
It is important to note that the size and placement of holes on a recorder can only be modified slightly without affecting the overall pitch, tuning, or response. Therefore, it may be more effective to purchase a new recorder that is more comfortable for you than to modify an existing one. Additionally, mistakes made with wax can be rectified without too much difficulty, as the wax can be removed fairly easily. However, it is wise to experiment with pieces of plasticine first, as there can be adverse effects on the tuning, speech, or stability of other notes.
Recorders should be cleaned after every playing session to reduce the risk of splitting and for hygiene purposes. This will also help to keep the interior smooth. It is recommended to use a wet cloth or mop with a small amount of detergent to clean the recorder. In more severe cases, solvents, wire wool, and scrapers may be necessary.
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Blowing harder or softer to change pitch
The pitch of a plastic recorder can be adjusted by blowing into it harder or softer. The pitch of a recorder is influenced by the speed of the air travelling through the windway, which can be controlled by varying the breath pressure and the shape of the vocal tract. The turbulence of the air entering the recorder also affects the pitch.
Blowing harder causes the pitch to go up, while blowing softer makes it go down. This is because faster air in the windway produces a higher pitch. However, there is a limit to how much the pitch can be raised or lowered in this way, and blowing too hard can result in overblowing, causing the pitch to rapidly jump up. The better the recorder, the less restricted the dynamic range is.
The technique of inhalation and exhalation for the recorder differs from that of many other wind instruments. Recorders require very little air pressure to produce a sound, unlike reed or brasswind instruments. Therefore, it is important to find the "sweet spot" where the recorder responds with a clear, well-focused sound. This is the level at which the pitch is correct and at which the recorder should be played.
Additionally, the temperature of the recorder affects the pitch, with warmer recorders producing a higher pitch. Therefore, it is advisable to warm up the recorder before playing, usually by placing the head joint under the armpit for 10-15 minutes. The pitch will then continue to rise as the player blows hot air into the instrument, although this is counteracted by the ambient temperature of the room.
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'Shading' a hole to 'bend' the pitch
The pitch of a plastic recorder can be adjusted by shading a hole. This can be done by modifying the position or diameter of the hole. For instance, a note that is too low can be tuned by moving the hole up the recorder or enlarging it. Conversely, a note that is too high can be tuned by moving the hole down the recorder or reducing its diameter.
The pitch of a note can also be adjusted by partially covering or uncovering a hole. This technique is known as "forked fingering". By sliding or rolling the thumb off the hole, the pitch of the note can be raised. To lower the pitch, the finger can be slid off the hole, or the thumb can be used to ""pinch" the hole, covering only half of it. This technique may be challenging and can damage the recorder over time, so an alternative is to roll the thumb slightly to the side.
Another method of adjusting pitch involves using wax to reduce the size of a hole. A small metal point, such as the handle of a needle file, can be heated over a flame and then used to pick up a drop of melted wax. This drop of wax can then be placed inside the hole and spread along the undercutting, effectively reducing the diameter of the hole.
It is important to note that these adjustments should only be performed by someone with knowledge of recorder tuning adjustments, as mistakes can affect the tuning, speech, or stability of other notes.
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Pulling out the head joint to lower the pitch
Pulling out the head joint is a common practice to lower the pitch of a recorder. This is done by carefully pulling out the first joint, also known as the tuning joint, which is the one nearest the mouthpiece or fipple. The amount that the joint needs to be pulled out will depend on the recorder and the desired pitch. For example, some recorders may only need to be pulled out by about 2 mm, while others may need to be pulled out by 3 to 4 mm.
It is important to note that the middle register notes, such as f" and g", are more affected by changes in the position of the head joint. This is because the increase in distance from the window to the tone holes producing these notes is proportionally greater than the lower tone holes. As a result, substantial intonational differences can be created, and the instrument can be thrown out of tune with itself if the head joint is pulled out too much or pushed in too far.
Additionally, the way a recorder is blown can also affect the pitch. Blowing harder will increase the pitch, while blowing softer will decrease it. Finding the "sweet spot" where the recorder produces a clear and well-focused sound is crucial for achieving the correct pitch. Therefore, players should be mindful of their breath pressure when adjusting the pitch of their recorder.
Another factor to consider is the temperature of the air inside the recorder. A cold recorder will play flatter than a warm one, so it is good practice to warm up the recorder before playing. This can be done by simply holding the recorder in your hands for a few minutes or blowing warm air into it gently. However, it is important not to overblow, as this can also affect the pitch.
By carefully adjusting the position of the head joint and being mindful of breath pressure and temperature, players can effectively lower the pitch of their plastic recorder to match the pitch of other instruments they are performing with.
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Frequently asked questions
The pitch of a plastic recorder can be adjusted by modifying the position or diameter of the holes. For example, a note that is too low can be tuned by moving the hole up the recorder or enlarging it. Conversely, a note that is too high can be lowered by moving the hole down or reducing its diameter.
The pitch of a plastic recorder can also be adjusted by changing the temperature of the instrument. A warmer recorder will produce a higher pitch, while a cooler recorder will produce a lower pitch. The recorder can be warmed up by breathing into it through the window or by holding it in your hands.
Plastic recorders, particularly cheaper ones, tend to be sharper in pitch. This can make it challenging to play in tune with other instruments or recordings. Additionally, the pitch of a plastic recorder can be affected by environmental factors such as humidity and temperature changes.
