Essential Guide to...
Tuning!
Here's a way that you can tune yourself!
Step one : Play an 'E' (fourth space). Then play the same 'E' by using your 3rd valve. If the second note is flatter than the first, your 3rd valve slide needs to be pushed in. If it is sharper, the slide needs to be pulled out. Repeat until both notes are in tune.
Step two : Play a 'C' (third space). Then play the same 'C' using 2nd and 3rd valves. You have already tuned your third valve so if this note is not in tune, you'll need to adjust your second valve slide accordingly.
Step three : Play a 'G' (second line). Then play the same 'G' using 1st and 3rd valves. Adjust the first valve slide until both notes are in tune. For instruments with four valves, you can repeat this step by playing the 'G' as an open note, then with the fourth valve.
Step four : Get the whole band to tune to a particular note and then to follow the first three steps above.
And hey presto - tuning's sorted. If you still encounter problems, you will be suffering from poor intonation. If this happens, listen out for the trombone section. As they use slides instead of valves, they can ensure that each note they play is always perfectly in tune. All trombone players are, of course, naturally gifted with the ability to instinctively know exactly where to position their slides for maximum tunefulness.
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