Alexei Volkov
Plastic recorders are usually pitched very sharp unless played at low breath pressure, which can cause other issues such as clogging and an insecure high register response. The intonation of a recorder is highly sensitive to the pressure it is played at, and the dynamics of the player's breath. If a recorder is out of tune, it is possible to adjust the mouthpiece or use alternative fingerings to compensate. For example, pulling out the mouthpiece will lower the pitch, while pushing it in will raise it. Additionally, wax can be used to reduce the size of a hole, which will also lower the pitch.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic recorders are usually | Excruciatingly sharp in pitch |
| Plastic recorders are usually played at | Artificially low breath pressures |
| Plastic recorders are prone to | More frequent clogging and insecure high register response |
| Plastic recorders are | Grossly sharp in pitch |
| Plastic recorders are | Sensitive to the pressure they are played at |
| Plastic recorders are | Grossly sharp in pitch |
| Plastic Yamaha recorders | Require alternative fingerings to ensure reliable intonation on certain notes |
| Plastic Woodnote alto recorders | Play well in tune up to the high F, then want to go about a quarter-tone flat |
| Plastic Aulos 309 alto recorders | Tend to go slightly sharp at the extremes of the range |
| Plastic Yamaha 20 series recorders | Are pitched at A442 and therefore have to be pulled out when playing alongside A440 instruments |
| Plastic Haka soprano recorders | Are possibly the most pitch-accurate recorders in the middle range |
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What You'll Learn
- Plastic recorders are usually sharp in pitch unless played at low breath pressure
- To lower pitch, pull out the mouthpiece to lengthen the instrument
- To raise a low note, open the top side of the hole
- To lower a low note, put wax in the top side of the hole
- Human perception of pitch is biased and sensitive to minute amounts of flatness
Plastic recorders are usually sharp in pitch unless played at low breath pressure
Playing a plastic recorder at a low breath pressure will achieve the best intonation possible on an inherently sharp instrument. However, it will cause or exaggerate other problems, such as more frequent clogging, insecure high register response, and weak low notes. Additionally, learning to play at a low breath pressure will make it difficult for a player who transitions to a decent wooden recorder, as they will find that it is "flat" in comparison and will have to re-learn proper breathing and blowing techniques.
The pitch and volume of a recorder are influenced by the speed of the air travelling through the windway, which is controlled by breath pressure and the shape of the vocal tract. Blowing harder causes a note to sound sharp, while blowing gently makes it sound flat. The pitch is also affected by the turbulence of the air entering the recorder, and faster air in the windway generally produces a higher pitch.
The pitch of a recorder can be adjusted by covering and uncovering holes with the fingers, which is called fingering. On an elementary level, breath pressure and fingerings must work together to produce an in-tune pitch. For example, a gradual increase in breath pressure combined with the shading of holes will result in an increase in volume and a change in tone colour without changing the pitch.
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To lower pitch, pull out the mouthpiece to lengthen the instrument
Tuning a plastic recorder can be tricky due to its inherently sharp pitch. This can be a problem when playing with other instruments, such as a harpsichord, as the recorder will go sharper as it and the room warm up, while the harpsichord will go flatter. To address this, you can pull out the mouthpiece to lengthen the instrument, thus lowering the pitch.
Pulling out the mouthpiece is a common practice among recorder players to adjust the pitch of their instruments. This method is particularly useful when the recorder is played alongside other instruments, such as an accordion with a lower tuning, and the recorder needs to adjust its pitch to match. By pulling out the mouthpiece joint, you increase the overall length of the recorder, which lowers the pitch.
It is important to note that this adjustment may require some fine-tuning to get it just right. Additionally, while pulling out the mouthpiece can help lower the pitch, it may not always be a perfect solution, and you may need to consider upgrading to a better instrument in the long run.
Another factor to consider is that humidity and temperature can affect the pitch of a recorder, especially wooden instruments. In such cases, adjusting the mouthpiece by pulling it out or pushing it in slightly can help compensate for the changes in humidity and temperature, ensuring the recorder stays in tune.
Finally, it is worth mentioning that the amount of mouthpiece you place in your mouth can also impact the sound. Some people prefer to have the recorder barely touching their lips, while others rest it on their lower lip. Experimenting with different amounts of mouthpiece in your mouth can help you find the position that works best for you and produces the desired sound.
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To raise a low note, open the top side of the hole
Tuning a recorder is a complex process that involves many variables, such as the player's technique, the recorder's material, and the environment. Plastic recorders, in particular, are known to have certain tuning peculiarities. While they are designed to be affordable and accessible to beginners, they often present challenges when it comes to achieving accurate intonation.
When dealing with a low note that needs to be raised, one approach is to adjust the hole of the recorder. Specifically, opening the top side of the hole can help raise a low note without significantly affecting its upper octave. This technique is particularly useful when dealing with the inherent limitations of a plastic recorder, which tends to produce sharp pitches when played with higher breath pressure.
The process of opening the top side of the hole involves making a careful adjustment to the recorder. It is important to understand that most holes on a recorder influence the tuning of multiple notes. Therefore, when enlarging one side of the hole, it may be necessary to fill the opposite side with a substance like beeswax to ensure the desired effect is achieved without adversely affecting other notes.
The use of wax is a common technique in recorder tuning. By melting the wax and placing it strategically within the bore of the recorder, specific notes can be targeted for adjustment. This method allows for experimentation and fine-tuning, as the wax can be easily removed and adjusted until the desired pitch is achieved. However, it is always recommended to test with a substance like plasticine first to avoid any unwanted effects on the tuning of other notes.
By understanding the intricacies of recorder tuning and employing techniques such as opening the top side of the hole and using wax, players can improve the intonation of their plastic recorders. It is important to note that these adjustments require careful consideration and experimentation, as the changes can impact the playability and tuning of other notes. With patience and practice, these techniques can help players achieve better overall intonation and enhance their musical experience.
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To lower a low note, put wax in the top side of the hole
Tuning a recorder can be a tricky task, and it's important to be aware that the human ear is more sensitive to flatness than sharpness. This means that a slightly sharp recorder will be more forgivable to the human ear than a slightly flat one.
When it comes to lowering a low note on a recorder, one method is to put wax in the topside of the hole. This technique is useful when you want to lower a low note without changing its upper octave too much. The wax reduces the size of the hole, which in turn lowers the pitch of the note. It is important to use the right type of wax, such as beeswax, and to apply it with a small metal point, like the handle of a needle file. The metal point is heated with a flame to melt the wax, and then a drop of wax is placed inside the hole. This process can be tricky, so it's important to be careful and precise.
It's worth noting that this method of lowering a low note may require some adjustments to the opposite (bell) side of the hole as well. Additionally, it's always a good idea to experiment with pieces of plasticine first, as wax tuning can have adverse effects on the tuning, speech, or stability of other notes.
While wax tuning can be helpful, there are also other factors to consider when trying to improve the quality of low notes on a recorder. One common issue is air leaks, which can cause low notes to warble or break into a higher octave. To troubleshoot this, check that all the finger holes are sealed well against your fingers and try playing with a gentler airflow. Blowing with the mouth partially open can also help to keep the airflow steady for low notes.
Another factor that can impact the quality of low notes is the temperature of the recorder. Warming up the head of the recorder before playing can prevent condensation from forming and disturbing the airflow. This can be done by placing the recorder in a pocket or down the front of your shirt for about ten minutes before playing.
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Human perception of pitch is biased and sensitive to minute amounts of flatness
Tuning a plastic recorder is a complex process that involves adjusting the instrument's physical characteristics, such as the size and position of its holes, to achieve the desired pitch. This process requires a good understanding of acoustics and the physics of sound. However, it is important to remember that human perception of pitch is inherently biased and sensitive to even slight deviations from perfect pitch.
The human ear is remarkably sensitive to pitch variations and can detect even minute amounts of flatness while being less sensitive to sharpness. This bias in pitch perception has been demonstrated in studies from the field of psychoacoustics, which explores the psychological aspects of sound. When two instruments with different tunings are played together, the lower-pitched instrument often sounds "wrong," while the higher-pitched one, even if sharp, tends to sound "correct" to the human ear.
This phenomenon has significant implications for recorder makers. To cater to the majority of players, both experienced and inexperienced, who are generally more sensitive to flatness than sharpness, recorder makers often tune their instruments slightly sharp. This is especially true for plastic recorders aimed at beginner players, as these instruments tend to be extremely sharp in pitch. While playing a sharp instrument at low breath pressure can improve intonation, it can also lead to other issues, such as clogging and an insecure high-register response.
Tuning a recorder involves several techniques. One method involves using wax to adjust the size of the holes. By applying or removing wax with a heated metal tool, the diameter of the hole can be modified, which influences the pitch. Another technique is to physically move the hole up or down the instrument or adjust its diameter to raise or lower a note, respectively. However, it is crucial to consider the potential impact on other notes that depend on the same hole.
In addition to these manual adjustments, environmental factors can also affect the tuning of a recorder. For example, temperature changes can cause a recorder to go sharper or flatter. When playing with other instruments, such as a harpsichord, the recorder player may need to adjust their instrument's tuning to maintain ensemble tuning, even if it means sacrificing personal intonation.
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Frequently asked questions
If your recorder is out of tune by a half tone, you are likely blowing too hard. Try dropping your jaw a little and preserving the same airflow. You can also try using the finger setting for the flat version of the tone. For example, if you want to play a D but it comes out as a D-sharp, play a D-flat instead.
Plastic recorders are usually extremely sharp in pitch unless played at artificially low breath pressures. If your recorder is out of tune, try pulling out the mouthpiece a bit to make the instrument longer. You can also try using wax to reduce the size of a hole.
If your recorder is out of tune only when playing quietly and goes sharp at high pressure, the problem is likely with your playing. If your recorder is consistently out of tune, the problem is likely with the recorder itself.
The Yamaha 3XX series has no tuning or fingering issues and is considered one of the most reliable plastic instruments. The Haka plastic treble is also known to be one of the finest recorders, plastic or wood.
