The Blog Category Is Expanding:
I’ve expanded the blog category to include “Basic Acoustics,” “Intonation Music Theory,” and “World Music” topics in addition to the posts about guitar and keyboard intonation.
Tuning Up:
The following posts mostly talk about retuning guitars and micro tuning keyboards.
What’s intonation? It’s retuning guitars and micro tuning synths.
The guitar posts explore music played with open tunings. Moreover, we will look at styles such as rock, blues, folk, country, and Hawaiian.
Tuning with harmonics allows the guitar open tunings to have better sounding chords than the same open tunings tuned using frets or a standard electronic tuner. Nevertheless, the pattern of harmonics for the open tunings looks different than the pattern of harmonics for standard tuning.
The synth posts focus on micro tuning the synth using Supplemented Equal Temperament (SET). I created SET to have better sounding chords that equal temperament (the piano’s tuning). However, it still works with normal, unmodified instruments reading standard sheet music and regular tab.
In other words, pop and other music groups can tune synths and guitars to SET. When tuned to SET, flexible pitch instruments can play with the SET tuned guitar and synth. Specifically, the flexible pitch instruments include the violin, brass, woodwinds, and voice.
Equal tempered instruments can play at least some notes with the SET tuned guitar and synth. Specifically, the fixed pitch equal tempered instruments include the piano, organ, and xylophone. However, most percussion instruments do not need special tunings. Taken together, this makes the SET ensemble.
The cornerstone category article:
The cornerstone category article is a longer article and more technical. The post defines intonation, and discusses microtonality verses tuning theory. Also, it talks about on how SET was formed, and some of the science that went into its creation.
The posts can be further broken into guitar, synth, ensemble, etc.
Guitar, etc.:
Online Guitar and Ukulele Tuners:
Synth:
Ensemble:
Intonation Music Theory:
World Music:
Basic Acoustics:
The previous topic lists will be updated periodically. See the post grid below for the full list and full descriptions with featured images.
– Geoffrey Keith
© 2021 Geoffrey Keith
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Would you like to sound good when you play? Do you need help with your clarinet intonation? If you’ve ever had a hard time staying on pitch, or felt discouraged about bum notes, this post has you covered. Click to learn how to play your clarinet in tune. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
How to Play Your $@?% Clarinet in Tune Read More »
Do you want to be able to play your cello or double bass in tune? Do you need help learning the necessary skills for accurate string intonation? The following post will give you bowing, fingering, and ear training tips that will help you master your instrument’s intonation. Click to learn how to play your cello in tune. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
How to Play Your $@!% Cello in Tune Read More »
Does your guitar sound dead and feel rough when you play it? Do you need help learning how to replace your strings? Being able to replace your guitar strings is an easy skill to learn that will save you time and money so you won’t have to bring your instrument to a music store. Plus, putting on a new set will make your guitar sound and play better. Click an “Easy Guide for Learning How to Replace Guitar Strings” to learn how to do it. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Easy Guide for Learning How to Replace Guitar Strings Read More »
Do you need help with playing your oboe in tune? Mastering oboe intonation is one of the most challenging components of learning the instrument. However, once you’ve tweaked your intonation, it’ll make your instrument sound fantastic. Click to learn how to play your oboe in tune. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
How to Play Your $@&% Oboe in Tune Read More »
Do you need advice on how to get your viola to sound good? Traditional strings (e.g., violin, viola, etc.) have an edge on fretted strings (e.g., guitar, banjo, etc.), because they have flexible pitch and so can get their harmonies gorgeously in tune. However, this is only true if you have solid intonation skills. Click to learn how to play your viola in tune. Estimated reading time 4 minutes.
How to Play Your $@*% Viola in Tune Read More »
Do you need help choosing guitar strings? One of the biggest things that affects your sound is your strings. Therefore, your choice is very important and very personal. Click to learn how to choose the best guitar strings for you. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
How to Choose the Best Guitar Strings for You Read More »
Do you have a hard time getting your trumpet to sound right? Do you need help working on your melodic and harmonic intonation? If your ear isn’t fully trained, trying to get your instrument in tune can be frustratingly hard to pin down. Don’t panic! I’ve got you covered. Click to learn how to play your trumpet in tune. Estimated reading time 5 minutes.
How to Play Your $@#% Trumpet in Tune Read More »
Do you want to know how to play and tune authentic blues guitar chords? If you want an authentic rhythm and blues guitar sound, you’ll need the authentic tuning to enhance the chords you play. Click “How to Play and Tune Authentic Blues Guitar Chords” to learn more. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
How to Play and Tune Authentic Blues Guitar Chords Read More »
Are you a guitarist who wants to try playing the lute? Do you want to know how difficult it is compared to guitar? The Renaissance lute is a pear-shaped instrument with a swept back headstock that harkens back to another age. Keep reading “How Easy Is It to Play Renaissance Lute?” to learn more. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
How Easy Is It to Play Renaissance Lute? Read More »
Do you want to know what the best organ sound is for performing baroque vs classical and romantic period organ music? Not all pipe organ music is the same, so the optimum sound you can use will differ from one style to another. Keep reading “Advanced Tone Color Concepts for Playing Pipe Organ Music” to learn how to get the best organ sound you can. Estimated reading time 3 minutes.
Advanced Tone Color Concepts for Playing Pipe Organ Music Read More »