How to Tune a Saxophone

When playing a saxophone, whether in a small ensemble, full band, or even solo, tuning is very important. Good tuning makes for a clearer, more beautiful sound, and it is essential for every saxophone player to know how tune and adjust their instrument. The saxophone can be a tricky instrument to tune at times, but with practice, you'll be on a perfect pitch every time.

Edit Steps

Set your tuner to a frequency of 440 Hertz (Hz) or "A = 440". This is the standard for most musical groups, though some tune to 442 Hz, which makes for a brighter sound.

Decide what note or series of notes you will tune to.
- Many saxophone players tune to concert Eb, which for Eb saxophones (alto and baritone) is C, and for Bb saxophones (soprano and tenor) is F. It's generally considered a reliable pitch.
- If you're playing with a concert band, you'll usually tune to concert Bb, which is G (Eb saxes) or C (Bb saxes).
- If you're playing with an orchestra (though saxophones aren't always common in such groups), you'll tune to concert A, which is F# (Eb saxes) or B (Bb saxes).
- You may also wish to tune to a series of notes, commonly concert F, G, A and Bb. For Eb saxes, this is D, E, F#, G, and for Bb saxes, it's G, A, B, C.
- You may also wish to pay special attention to tuning any notes you have been having trouble with.

Play the note or first note in the series. You can either watch the "needle" on the tuner move to indicate if you're flat or sharp, or you can set it to play a perfectly tuned frequency and match pitch with it.
- If you're perfectly matched with the playing pitch or the needle is perfectly in the middle, consider yourself tuned and go on with your playing.
- If the needle is straying towards the "sharp" side or you hear yourself playing sharp, pull the mouthpiece out just a bit. Keep adjusting until you're perfectly on pitch. A good way to remember this is the phrase When something is sharp, you pull away .
- If the needle is moving to the flat side of the spectrum or you hear your note sounding flat, push the mouthpiece in slightly, and keep adjusting. Remember, Flat things are squished down .
- If you're still not having much luck moving the mouthpiece (it's either falling off the end or so squished down you're afraid you'll never get it off), you can also make adjustments where the neck meets the rest of the instrument, pulling out or pushing in as necessary.
- You can also adjust pitch with your embouchure, somewhat. Listen to the tuner's pitch for at least three seconds (that's about how long it takes your brain to hear and understand the pitch), and then blow into your saxophone. Try adjusting your lips, chin, and posture until the sound is in tune.

Continue this until your instrument is perfectly in tune, then go on with your playing.

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Edit Tips

It's best to get used to tuning to a pitch instead of using the "needle", as this will help develop your musical ear and allow you to tune to a "remembered" pitch as you get good at it.

Reeds can also be a factor. If you're having persistent tuning issues, experiment with different brands, strengths, and cuts of reeds.

If you're having a really hard time tuning your saxophone, you might want to take it to a music store. Technicians there may be able to adjust your instrument so that it's better in tune, or you may just want to get a new instrument. Beginner-level or old ones often won't tune as well, and you may be in need of an upgrade anyway.

Keep in mind that temperature can affect tuning.

Edit Warnings

Be aware that most tuners display notes in concert pitch, or the key of C. Saxophones are transposing instruments, so don't be alarmed if the note on the screen doesn't match the one you're playing. If you're a little confused about transposition, this article may be helpful to soprano and tenor players, and this one will help alto and bari players.

Never attempt any advanced tuning techniques or instrument adjustments unless you really know what you're doing. Saxophone keywork is very precise, which makes it very easy to mess up.