Tuning Slide Measuring Device

ianpatrickroe · New Member Joined: 05 May 2020 Posts: 6 Location: London

Hey guys,

Struggling on google to find answers to thing because I'm probably not using the right terminology.

Basically, I play a lot of trumpet to electronic music. I use my eye to find the correct tuning of the main slide, but since when I play a DJ set with my trumpet, I won't have time to re-listen, play, find the tuning (as my audience will hear me doing so), I wondered if there is any device out there which adjusts so you can create a sort of template for your tuning slide. Could just be an adjustable little ruler thing where I can the set markers so I know which track (i.e. track 1 corresponds to marker 1 at a 1cm opening on the slider) has the correct key?

I can just use paper or even just small bits of tape, and that's fine too, but at present I don't even know if there are any make shift inventions on this, so if anyone has any advice on what they to do remember the tuning slide for different songs they play to, it would be appreciate to share your experience.

Thanks

Ian

OldSchoolEuph · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Apr 2012 Posts: 2441

ianpatrickroe · New Member Joined: 05 May 2020 Posts: 6 Location: London

[quote="OldSchoolEuph"]

JayKosta · Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 10:26 am Post subject:

If you're playing indoor sets where there aren't big temperature differences, then I doubt that would make much difference. But changes in temperature does affect tuning.

And the tuning can change after you've played for several minutes. Doing a bit of dressing room, or back alley warm-up would help.

Yes, you could make a little paper ruler and tape it on. Just make notation in your playlist of what the slide position should be for each piece.

Jay
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ianpatrickroe · New Member Joined: 05 May 2020 Posts: 6 Location: London

cheiden · Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 11:40 am Post subject:

When I play with any accompaniment I automatically adjust my playing to meet the tuning requirements. I try to be sensitive to whether or not I'm working too hard to lip the note up or down. If I am then I nudge the tuning slide slightly and keep going. There really is no technology that can do this for you.
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zaferis · Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 3:47 pm Post subject:

I think I you knew how a particular track measured against the standard of A=440.. then you could make adjustments accordingly. Not a preset distance but a direction and a sense of how far.

Say you tune to A=440 and you know the next track is sharp by "x" cents... then you'd know you needed to pull your slide in "x" distance-approximately. Then say the next track is about A=440 you would pull the slide back to where you're comfortable at that pitch center.

As pointed out, there are many variables. You will still need to use your ears.

Use your ears to play intune, use the slide(s) to make it easier to do so.
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homebilly · Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 4:27 pm Post subject:

my horn was tuned at the factory to avoid these types of situations
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LittleRusty · Posted: Thu May 28, 2020 6:32 pm Post subject:

Andy Del · Posted: Fri May 29, 2020 8:44 pm Post subject:

You need to organise your electronic music so it is all at A=440 (or 442) and then all you need to do is tune once and then adjust slightly as needed.

Ears are the secret weapon. Use them and you’ll be fine.

Cheers

Andy
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Robert P · Heavyweight Member Joined: 28 Feb 2013 Posts: 2596

lipshurt · Posted: Sat May 30, 2020 9:07 am Post subject:

some marching band players do this all the time based on temperature.
Make a series of marks with a knife of fingernail file at 1mm or say 1/16 inch intervals about 8 marks with your normal range being in the middle.

If you have tracks that are at different tunings, then they will always be that way, take note of how much you have to change, and you can pull in or out a certain number of marks from where ever you have to be overall based on temperature.

for reference....
for temperature if your marks are 1/16 inch:
72-75 degrees is your normal spot
68 degrees in a half mark
65 degrees in one mark
62 degrees in 1.5 marks
60 in two marks
55 in three marks
50 in four marks
less than 50 your pitch will fluctuate wildly as your play and rest. push all the way in probably

you can deal with heat a little easier
75-79 out one mark
79-85 out two
85 and up out three
above that it seems to not make any difference really.
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