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Most will play a concert “C” or “G.” During rehearsals, your group will let you know what note they will be tuning to. You will be responsible for transposing a half note below the said note. If the band is tuning to a concert “C,” you will tune the clarinet to a D.

Good band intonation requires first that the instruments are tuned closely to a standard pitch (initial tuning) and then that each student actively listens and adjusts for beatless intervals. Many students think that the “tuning” process is complete after adjusting instruments.

Open strings InstrumentTuningviola, cello, tenor banjo, mandola, mandocello, tenor guitarC, G, D, Adouble bass, mando-bass, bass guitar*(B*,) E, A, D, G, (C*)guitarE, A, D, G, B, Econcert harpC♭, D♭, E♭, F♭, G♭, A♭, B♭ (repeating)4 more rows

Generally speaking, the primary notes in a band setting for ensemble tuning are concert F and concert B-flat. When introducing intonation with younger bands, the concert F is recommended, especially if a concert B-flat is not fully developed throughout the ensemble.

Orchestras always tune to concert pitch (usually A=440 Hertz, 440 vibrations per second). Conveniently, every string instrument has an A string. So it makes sense for string orchestras to tune to the open A string of the first violinist.