Tuning Keys
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 TAMA DRUM TUNING KEY TDK10  US $7.00
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 2 Classical Guitar Tuner Tuning Pegs keys Machine Heads US $.99
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 Evans drum tuning key snare tom bass drum US $5.99
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 Chrome 3x3 Large dye cast tuning keys US $6.00
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 MARTIN 3 on a Side OPEN Tuning Keys US $9.99
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 SCHALLER 3 on a Side Sealed Tuning Keys US $9.99
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 GIBSON 3 on a Side Sealed Tuning Keys US $19.99
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 3 on a Side Sealed Tuning Keys US $9.99
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 Pair of Drum Tuning Keys Hexagonal Square Drive US $3.11
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Tuning, Intonation, And The Saxophone
Playing your saxophone in tune with others in your band requires much more than simply playing a reference note into a tuner and adjusting the mouthpiece on the instrument. In order to really understand the tuning process and how best to tune your saxophone it helps to know the physics behind the sound that you produce while playing. When we are talking about physics and the saxophone we are dealing in the realm of invisible vibrations called sound waves.
To better understand these sound waves it helps to think about a guitar string. When you pluck a note on a guitar the string vibrates at a specific rate or "frequency." The length of this string dictates what frequency the string will vibrate at. By moving your finger up and down the fretboard you can change the pitch to any of a dozen or so pitches. Now think about a fretless guitar. Instead of a dozen pitches you could potentially have hundreds of pitches, each very slightly different that the other. Saxphones behave in this same way but use a vibrating column of air instead of a vibrating string.
When you add or subtract fingers on the saxophone you are changing the overall length of the tube, creating shorter or longer sound waves in the process. Many things can affect this resultant wave. A key that is not adjusted properly can partially close over an open hole causing all notes above that key to be slightly flat. Likewise a key that is left open when it should be closed can make other notes out of tune or at the very least sound less focused.
Two saxophones that are not perfectly tuned to each other will always vibrate at different frequencies even when playing the same note. When two sound waves of the exact same frequency are played together they reinforce each other creating a stronger, more pleasing overall sound. When two pitches are slightly out of tune they occasionally collide with each other causing a disturbance in the combined wave form. This phenomena creates audible "beats" or bumps in what the listener hears. Each bump in the combined sound is literally the two sound waves slamming into each other. It is often easier to understand this process by seeing it visually. Take a look at the examples shown at http://library.thinkquest.org/19537/Physics.html.
As a saxophone player it should be your goal to learn how to play your instrument in perfect tune. Unfortunately this requires more than simply tuning your concert A or B-flat. Now that you know a little about the physics of sound however, you can begin to understand the inherent pitch problems of your saxophone and relate this to your overall performance and study routine.
About the Author
Chad Criswell is an accomplished Iowa music educator. He hosts a web site dedicated specifically to music education topics of interest to students, parents, and teachers located at http://www.musicedmagic.com. He is also the music appreciation editor for http://musicappreciation.suite101.com.
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Used Sperzel Bass Tuning Keys Black 4L $69.59 Sperzel Bass Tuning Keys bring ease-of-use, precision gearing, sealed lubrication and tuning stability to your bass. Find out why guitarists revere these machine heads. |
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Grover-Trophy 102 Rotomatics 3-Per-Side Guitar Tuning Keys Chrome $49.99 Grover-Trophy 102 Rotomatics 3-Per-Side Guitar Tuning Keys Chrome |
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One Piece Screw-type Guitar Tuning Keys $4.49 Description:This Guitar Tuning Key is a triumph in engineering and style.The housing provides a maximum bearing for worm gear and string post.Worm and gear are precision-cut for perfect meshing.This Screw-type Tuning Key eliminates backlash and slippage.This Wood Guitar Metal Tuner is the ideal repair accessoriesWood Guitar Tuning Key is the best gift for the guitar loverMade of metal and plastic material, for guitar tuningSize: 4.0 x 3.9 x 3.1cmWeight: 20.5gPakcage content:One Tuning Key |
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Sperzel Bass Tuning Keys Satin Chrome 2 and 2 $74.99 Sperzel Bass Tuning Keys bring ease-of-use, precision gearing, sealed lubrication and tuning stability to your bass. Find out why guitarists revere these machine heads. |
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Sperzel Bass Tuning Keys Satin Chrome 2 And 2 $74.99 Sperzel Bass Tuning Keys bring ease-of-use, precision gearing, sealed lubrication and tuning stability to your bass. Find out why guitarists revere these machine heads. |
