How to Tune a Recorder Instrument

How to Tune a Recorder Instrument
Written By
Mark Rutkowski
Mark Rutkowski
Published: Sep 3, 2010
Updated: Jan 10, 2019
1 minute read

Recorders are used in many places as an introductory musical instrument because of its easy playability and construction. Recorders produce a flute-like sound when the player blows into the mouthpiece. When a note hole is completely covered, the pitch is fixed, meaning it has a definite tone that does not shift. When a recorder needs to be tuned, the mouthpiece must be adjusted or changes to the finger position over the note holes must be shifted.

Hold the recorder as if it were being played, and cover the second hole with your left hand's middle finger. This is a C note. Blow a steady stream of air to produce a pitch, and check the pitch with the tuner.

Adjust the recorder itself to fix any intonation. If the pitch played is sharp, slide the mouthpiece out slightly to flatten the pitch. If the note is flat, push the recorder in, if possible, to raise the pitch.

Make any further adjustments by changing finger placement. Sliding fingers off the finger holes so they are slightly open will further help any pitch problems. Mouth positioning can also help pitch. Dropping the jaw will flatten the pitch, and compressing the jaw and constricting airspace will raise the pitch.

Mark Rutkowski

Mark Rutkowski has been writing professionally since 2010, with work published in compilations online and offline. He also reviews music for the website Sputnik Music and excels in his knowledge of computers and media. He is pursuing a…

Sponsored
Our Pastimes Logo

A destination for the avid collector and weekend hobbyist alike, Our Pastimes features articles and tips about your favorite cards and games, hobbies and more.

Property of TechnologyAdvice. © 2026 TechnologyAdvice. All Rights Reserved

Advertiser Disclosure: Some of the products that appear on this site are from companies from which TechnologyAdvice receives compensation. This compensation may impact how and where products appear on this site including, for example, the order in which they appear. TechnologyAdvice does not include all companies or all types of products available in the marketplace.