Chloe Zhang
Plastic recorders are often out of tune due to their sharp pitch, which is caused by the player's breath pressure and the recorder's headjoint position. The player's breath pressure can cause the recorder to produce sharp or flat pitches. Adjusting the headjoint of the recorder can lower the pitch, but it may also cause some notes to be out of tune. Additionally, humidity and temperature can affect the tuning of a recorder, especially wooden instruments. Some plastic recorders, such as the Yamaha 3XX series, are known for their reliable tuning and comfortable playability, while others may require more effort to maintain proper tuning.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Plastic recorders being out of tune | Common |
| Cause | Recorder built according to a historic model, humidity, temperature, breath pressure, playing style, or the player's embouchure |
| Solutions | Adjust the head joint, pull out the mouthpiece, use the finger setting for the flat version of the tone, cover only a small part of the hole with the finger, change soft palate/throat/tongue position |
| Plastic recorders with good intonation | Yamaha 3XX series, Haka plastic treble, Aulos sopranino, Yamaha Rottenburgh woodgrain YRS312B soprano and YRA312B alto |
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What You'll Learn
Plastic recorders are usually sharp in pitch
Playing a plastic recorder at artificially low breath pressures will achieve the best intonation on an inherently sharp instrument. However, this can cause or worsen other issues, such as more frequent clogging and an insecure high register response. Learning to play at very low breath pressure can also be detrimental to the player's development, as it may affect their ability to play other types of recorders in the future.
The sharpness of a plastic recorder can be adjusted by pulling out the mouthpiece, which makes the instrument longer and lowers the pitch. This method is common among recorder players, especially those using wooden instruments, as humidity and temperature can affect the tuning. Another way to lower the pitch is to put a piece of paper between the mouthpiece and the flute.
It's worth noting that the human ear is more tolerant of sharpness than flatness in pitch. Studies in psychoacoustics have shown that when two instruments of different tunings are played together, the lower-pitched one often sounds "wrong", while the higher-pitched one, even if very sharp, sounds "correct". This further explains why plastic recorders are usually made to be sharp in pitch.
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Adjusting the head joint
If your plastic recorder is out of tune, one possible reason could be that the head joint needs to be adjusted. Here are some detailed instructions on how to adjust the head joint of your recorder:
First, locate the head joint of your recorder. The head joint is the top portion of the recorder that includes the mouthpiece and the first hole. It is usually inserted into the body of the recorder and can be adjusted by twisting or sliding it slightly.
To adjust the head joint, gently pull it outward or push it inward while the recorder is fully assembled. Do this carefully and avoid forcing it too much in either direction to prevent damaging the instrument. Small adjustments can make a significant difference in the tuning.
While making these adjustments, continuously play the recorder to test the tuning. Play a variety of notes, scales, and pieces to ensure that the tuning is accurate across the entire range of the instrument. You can use a tuner or pitch pipe to help you accurately assess the tuning.
If the recorder produces a squeaky or airy sound, it indicates that the head joint is too far out or not fully inserted. In this case, gently push it back in while finding the position where the sound is clear and in tune.
Additionally, ensure that the head joint is straight and aligned properly with the body of the recorder. A slight misalignment can affect the airflow and, consequently, the tuning. Gently twist the head joint while observing the reflection in a mirror to ensure it is straight and correctly positioned.
Remember to be gentle and patient during the adjustment process. Fine-tuning the head joint can take some time, but it is an important step in ensuring your recorder produces the best possible sound. Always use a soft cloth or pad to hold the recorder when making adjustments to avoid leaving fingerprints or accidentally damaging the instrument.
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Human perception of pitch is biased
If your plastic recorder sounds out of tune, there are several factors that could be at play. Firstly, the recorder itself may be built according to a historical model and thus targets a different reference pitch than the standard 440 Hz. Adjusting the mouthpiece or the head joint can help bring the recorder back into tune. Alternatively, the issue may lie with your playing technique, such as overblowing or embouchure.
Human perception of pitch is a complex process that involves both the physical properties of sound waves and the subjective interpretation of those properties by the individual. Pitch is closely related to frequency, but they are not equivalent. Frequency is an objective scientific attribute that can be measured, while pitch is the subjective perception of a sound wave by an individual and cannot be directly measured.
The human auditory system uses two main theoretical approaches to process pitch: the spectral approach and the temporal approach. The spectral theory suggests that different portions of the basilar membrane are sensitive to different sound frequencies. High frequencies are detected at the base of the basilar membrane, while low frequencies are detected at the tip. The temporal theory, on the other hand, proposes that frequency is coded by the activity level of sensory neurons. Hair cells fire action potentials related to the frequency of the sound wave.
Several factors can influence human perception of pitch. For example, the cortex plays a role in processing frequency and pitch, as evidenced by the impact of lesions in the auditory cortex. Additionally, the relation between pitch and frequency is complex, as pitch is a perceptual entity influenced by various aspects of the stimulus. Human perception of pitch can also be "fooled", resulting in aural illusions such as the Shepard scale, where a sequence of tones can be made to sound like it is continuously ascending or descending.
In conclusion, while your plastic recorder may be out of tune due to its construction or your playing technique, it is also important to remember that pitch perception is subjective and can be influenced by various physiological and psychological factors in the listener.
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Playing techniques and breath pressure
Playing a recorder involves a lot more than simply blowing air into the instrument. The way you breathe, your posture, and the pressure you apply all play a role in producing the right pitch and a good tone.
The recorder is a "fretless" instrument, which means that the fingers select from a continuum of pitches, and the breath pressure and dynamics affect the pitch. When playing at a low volume, the pitches tend to be a bit flat, and this can be corrected by increasing the breath pressure or "leaking a bit of air" from the lowest finger. Conversely, when playing at high volume, the pitch tends to go sharp, and this can be corrected by reducing breath pressure. With practice, these adjustments become second nature.
The amount of breath pressure required depends on the type of recorder. Some recorders, particularly historical reproductions, are designed to be played at higher breath pressures. On the other hand, student and amateur models tend to be designed for lower breath pressures. Plastic recorders, for example, tend to be sharper in pitch when blown with higher breath pressure.
There are also differences in playing techniques and breath pressure preferences among players from different regions. For instance, a larger proportion of American players, both amateur and professional, prefer to use higher breath pressures compared to their European counterparts. This is attributed to differences in educational systems, cultural backgrounds, and the age at which students start learning the recorder.
Breathing techniques are also important when it comes to playing the recorder. Some players find that they need to exhale stale air before they can fill their lungs with fresh air. One way to do this is to let air escape through your nose as you play, although some players advise against this as it can destabilize the airflow. Taking smaller, more frequent breaths and tailoring your breathing to the piece can also help manage breath pressure while playing.
Additionally, the way you position your head and jaw while breathing can impact the quality of your tone. Many players tend to throw their heads backward when breathing, which involves more muscles and can interfere with the breathing mechanism. Instead, it is recommended to keep the jaw still and drop it slightly to breathe, which allows for more flexibility and is less likely to disrupt the balance of the recorder.
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Reliable plastic recorders
Plastic recorders are usually extremely sharp in pitch unless played at artificially low breath pressures. This is because most recorder players are more aware of and sensitive to flatness than sharpness, so manufacturers tend to err on the side of sharpness to avoid complaints and returns. Learning to play at low breath pressure can cause or exacerbate other problems, such as clogging and insecure high register response.
If you are a beginner, it may be challenging to adjust the pitch of a plastic recorder by finger setting. One way to lower the pitch is to pull out the mouthpiece to make the instrument longer, but this can also flatten individual notes by differing amounts. Another method is to put a piece of paper between the mouthpiece and the flute.
Some reliable plastic recorders include the Yamaha 3XX series, which is considered one of the most reliable plastic instruments with no tuning or fingering issues. The Rottenburgh woodgrain YRS312B soprano and YRA312B alto recorders from Yamaha are also reported to have no idiosyncratic tuning issues. The Haka plastic treble recorder is also considered one of the finest plastic recorders currently available, offering excellent value for money.
It is worth noting that the perception of tuning and intonation can vary between individuals. Studies in psychoacoustics have shown that human perception of pitch is biased and uneven. When two instruments of different tunings are played together, the lower-pitched one often sounds "wrong," while the higher-pitched one, even if sharp, sounds "correct."
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Frequently asked questions
Try playing alongside an accompaniment track or another player to determine whether your recorder is out of tune.
The reason could be that you are blowing too hard or too softly, or that you are playing at a higher or lower breath pressure than what the recorder is designed for.
You can try pulling out the mouthpiece to make the instrument longer and lower in pitch, or adjust your breath pressure and posture.
The Yamaha 3XX series is considered one of the most reliable plastic recorders, with no known tuning or fingering issues. The Haka plastic treble recorder is also highly regarded.
Warm up your recorder before playing by placing the head joint under your armpit for 10-15 minutes, as temperature can affect pitch. Regularly check your tuning by playing alongside a recording or another player.
