Estimated reading time 4 minutes
Table of Contents
Introduction
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. Keep reading to learn how to play your oboe in tune.
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How to Play Your Oboe in Tune: What Is Intonation?
It’s when you adjust your oboe’s notes so they sound correct.
[Intonation is] the degree to which pitch is accurately produced in performance, especially among players in an ensemble. (The New Harvard Dictionary of Music 402)
How much pitch flexibility does the oboe have?
- James A. Mason, in Comparison of Solo and Ensemble Performances with Reference to Pythagorean, Just, and Equi-Tempered Intonations, studied brass and woodwind intonation in an ensemble context.
- He noted that oboes played from +25 cents to -1 cent for a total tuning range of 27 cents. However, these readings were taken during a handful of performances. Be aware that the oboe’s actual intonation range may be bigger.
- For instance, the YouTube channel Harmonies from Home has shown that notes on the oboes can range about +/- 40 cents for a total range of approximately 80 cents.
How to Play Your Oboe in Tune: What Strategies Will Help Improve My Oboe Intonation?
Oboes are notoriously hard to tune.
[Oboes are] one of the most difficult instruments to play, the one they call “the ill wind that nobody blows good.” (George Martin All You Need Is Ears 28)
Good intonation is important for any variable pitch instrument. However, since concert bands and orchestras tune to the oboe’s A, it’s very important that you give an accurate pitch for the rest of the ensemble.
First, your reed is a critical component of your sound.
- Use quality reeds, and make sure to replace them regularly.
- The reed is so important to the instrument’s tone that professionals shape their own reeds.
- Also, the reeds’ hardness makes a difference, with harder reeds playing sharper and softer reeds playing flatter.
Second, warm up before a practice session or performance.
- Playing notes warms up the instrument, which helps your intonation.
- In addition, when waiting for your part to come in, keep the reeds in your mouth so that they stay warm.
Third, unlike other woodwinds, oboes don’t have a traditional tuning joint to help you adjust your pitch, so you must do it all with your lips.
- Many players suggest you pull out the reed to adjust your pitch. However, this can warp the intervals which negatively affects your sound.
- Instead, it’s better to roll in with your lips, making the pitch go sharper, and roll out, making it go flatter. (See the video below.)
- Do this instead of sliding the reed in and out against your lips.
Fourth, focus on your embouchure.
- Use your lips to make a solid seal on the reeds but make sure you don’t apply too much pressure.
- Pay attention to your air flow. Try for a constant, measured stream of air.
- Control over your breathing is necessary for both good tone and tuning.
Fifth, watch your fingering.
- Your finger placement can affect your intonation, so experiment as you work with a tuner.
- Also, make sure the keys are in good working order.
Sixth, upper range tips
- For the instrument’s upper range, direct your air stream up and form an Ee vowel shape with your mouth. This helps raise your pitch.
- To lower your pitch, direct your air stream down and form an Oh vowel shape.
- Also, you can experiment with alternate fingerings to find intonation solutions. Your oboe teacher can help you with this.
Mobile users: for best results viewing the video, rotate your screen 90o to the right.
Video: Oboe Tuning and Tone Tips
How to Play Your Oboe in Tune: What Can I Do to Train My Ear?
Harmony and melody tune differently. This means you must have two different ear training regimens.
These links lead to posts that contain specially designed intonation soundtracks that’ll help you tweak your harmonic tuning.
- Singing Exercises with Harmony
- Ear Training Exercises for Harmonizing
- Singing Major and Minor Harmonies
- How to Harmonize in Minor Keys
- Singing 7th Chords
I created these tracks to help singers, but they work just as well for instrumentalists. However, you’ll play with the soundtracks instead of singing them.
Use an electronic tuner when you work on your melodic intonation.
- In How to Play Your $@#% Trumpet in Tune, we saw that Ternstrom and Sundberg’s intonation study discovered that the acceptable tuning range was +/-15 cents.
- The Korg CA-2 Chromatic Tuner is ideally suited to help you learn to play within these parameters. Why? Because the Korg’s display uses hollow triangles to show where the +15 and -15 cent limit is.
- This in turn helps you to know when your pitch is good. Play a steady tone while watching the tuner. You should always aim to get your intonation as accurate as possible.
The video below shows string players using the Korg CA-2, but it works just as well for any orchestral or band instrument.
Video: Korg CA-2 Tuner
Final Thoughts
Takeaway points:
- Intonation is when you adjust your oboe’s notes so they sound correct.
- During practices and performances, keep the reeds in your mouth so that they stay warm.
- Roll your reeds in with your lips to make the pitch sharper and roll out to make the pitch flatter.
Have fun playing!
Related Posts
- How to Play Your $@*% Viola in Tune
- How to Play Your $@#% Trumpet in Tune
- Intonation and Supplemented Equal Temperament
© 2025 Geoffrey Keith
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