How to Tune?
How to Tune a Clarinet – Step-by-Step for Beginners
Feb 4, 2025
Tuning a clarinet is essential for producing a rich, resonant, and well-balanced tone. The clarinet family includes many transposing instruments, with the Bb clarinet being the most common. In this guide, we’ll walk you through how to tune a Bb clarinet step-by-step using the Perfect Tuner app. We’ll also cover tuning for piccolo clarinet (Eb, D), C clarinet, A clarinet, basset horn (F), alto clarinet (Eb), and bass clarinet (Bb), which require the premium version of the app.
What You Need to Tune Your Clarinet
Your Bb clarinet (standard model for most players).
(Note: This guide focuses on the Bb clarinet. If you’re using a piccolo clarinet (Eb, D), C, A, basset horn (F), alto clarinet (Eb), or bass clarinet (Bb), you will need the premium version of the app.)
A smartphone or tablet with the Perfect Tuner app installed.
Standard Tuning for Bb Clarinet
The Bb clarinet is a transposing instrument, meaning that the note you play sounds a whole step lower than written in concert pitch.
The standard tuning note for a Bb clarinet is B4 (which corresponds to A4 in concert pitch).
Step 1: Prepare Your Clarinet for Tuning
Warm Up: Play your clarinet for a few minutes before tuning to allow the instrument to warm up. A cold clarinet tends to play flat (lower in pitch).
Proper Assembly: Ensure all sections of the clarinet (mouthpiece, barrel, upper and lower joints, and bell) are properly aligned and connected.
Check the Reed: Make sure your reed is properly positioned, moistened, and not chipped or warped, as this can affect intonation.
Step 2: Open the Perfect Tuner App
Download and open the Perfect Tuner app on your smartphone or tablet.
The app will automatically enable your microphone to detect the sound of your clarinet.
If prompted, grant the app permission to use your microphone.
The Tuner screen will automatically appear, showing the pitch meter.
Select "Bb Clarinet" in the instrument settings. The Bb clarinet mode is free in the app.
For piccolo clarinet (Eb, D), C, A clarinet, basset horn (F), alto clarinet (Eb), or bass clarinet (Bb), you will need the premium version of the app.
Step 3: Start Tuning Your Clarinet
1. Play the Note B4 (A4 Concert Pitch)
Play the note B4 with steady breath pressure and watch the app’s display.
o If the app shows that the note is too low (flat), push the barrel slightly inward to shorten the air column and raise the pitch.
o If the app shows that the note is too high (sharp), pull the barrel slightly outward to lengthen the air column and lower the pitch.
Step 4: Check Intonation Across Other Notes
Once you have adjusted the barrel:
Play other notes such as D5, E4, and C5, and check their pitch using Perfect Tuner.
Some notes may still sound sharp or flat—this is normal for clarinets and can be corrected using your embouchure (the way you form your lips):
To raise the pitch: Increase the firmness of your lips or direct the airstream more firmly.
To lower the pitch: Relax your embouchure slightly and direct the airstream downward.
Additional Information for Other Types of Clarinets
Piccolo Clarinet (Eb, D): The tuning process is the same as the Bb clarinet, but these clarinets sound sharper and higher in pitch.
C Clarinet: The C clarinet is a non-transposing instrument, meaning that the written pitch matches the concert pitch.
A Clarinet: The A clarinet sounds a minor third lower than written. When you play B on the A clarinet, it corresponds to G# in concert pitch.
Basset Horn (F): The basset horn is pitched a perfect fifth lower than written.
Alto Clarinet (Eb): Pitched a major sixth lower than written, similar to the alto saxophone.
Bass Clarinet (Bb): Sounds an octave plus a whole step lower than written, meaning that when you play B on the bass clarinet, it corresponds to A in concert pitch, but an octave lower.
Note: For tuning these clarinets with Perfect Tuner, you will need the premium version of the app.
Step 5: Fine-Tune Your Embouchure
Even after adjusting the barrel, small corrections may still be necessary using your embouchure.
Flat notes (low pitch): Increase the firmness of your lips slightly and direct the air faster to raise the pitch.
Sharp notes (high pitch): Relax your embouchure slightly and soften the airstream to lower the pitch.
Additional Tips for Clarinet Tuning
Breath Support: Maintain steady breath pressure while tuning to avoid fluctuations in pitch.
Use a Good Reed: Worn-out or damaged reeds can negatively affect intonation.
Check Finger Positioning: Make sure your fingers are properly covering the tone holes to avoid leaks that cause pitch issues.
Practice Long Tones: This helps develop embouchure control and improves tuning stability across all registers.
Why Use Perfect Tuner for Clarinet Tuning?
Accurate Pitch Detection: The app provides precise feedback for each note.
Instrument-Specific Settings: The app allows you to select your specific clarinet type for accurate pitch recognition.
Beginner-Friendly Interface: The app’s layout is simple and easy to follow.
Free for Bb Clarinet: The app’s free version supports Bb clarinet tuning, but piccolo, C, A, basset horn, alto, and bass clarinets require the premium upgrade.
Final Words
Tuning your clarinet with Perfect Tuner ensures that your instrument sounds warm and resonant across all registers. Remember that tuning is not only about adjusting the barrel but also about mastering your embouchure and breath control.
Enjoy your perfectly tuned clarinet, and happy playing!