Tag Archives: pitch

Reed and Embouchure Strength

The harder the reed the sharper it is and conversely the softer the reed the flatter it is.
A reed placed too high will lean sharp and too low will lean flat.
Reed charts – are considered a general guideline because of the perception of reed strength.
Mouth pieces and embouchure strength will also affect perception of reed strength.

Brass Mutes and Temperature

Straight and Harmon brass mutes typically make an instrument go sharp to very sharp.
Cup mute will make the instrument go flat.
Playing with a straight/harmon mute when the temperature is high makes brass playing very difficult.

Bending the Pitch

All key heights (lower/upper stacks and palm) on woodwind instruments control intonation and tone. The more open the venting is increased, the more open the tone (less resistance), but the sharper the pitch. Conversely, the more closed the venting is the more closed the tone (due to more resistance) and the flatter the pitch. Creative bending woodwind keys to repair leaks may help properly close the tone holes, but it will typically change the pitch of several notes and put the entire instrument out of adjustment.