Electronic Tuner for Pennywhistle?

Emrys · Post by **Emrys** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 6:58 am

I was recently at a Joannie Madden concert (fantastic!) and noticed that she used a small electronic tuner to get her whistles pitched just right before each tune. Now that I'm performing and using a bunch of whistles I realized it would be great to play that very first note in tune ... rather than the usual burst of out-of-tune glory that's inevitable when I'm changing tubes all the time. Does anyone have a PARTICULAR BRAND or type of tuner that they've used and can recommend?

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 7:15 am

Emrys wrote:I was recently at a Joannie Madden concert (fantastic!) and noticed that she used a small electronic tuner to get her whistles pitched just right before each tune. Now that I'm performing and using a bunch of whistles I realized it would be great to play that very first note in tune ... rather than the usual burst of out-of-tune glory that's inevitable when I'm changing tubes all the time. Does anyone have a PARTICULAR BRAND or type of tuner that they've used and can recommend?

I'm personally fond of the Korg CA-30. It's fairly compact, covers octaves C1 through C8, and is about $20.
http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem. ... =KCA30XXXX

I originally had a QwikTune and it didn't cover the same range..I found myself using an online tuner though my computer whenever I reviewed high whistles, because the QwikTune didn't "hear" the 2nd octave.
http://www.apollosaxes.com/qwikguittun.html

Tony McGinley · Post by **Tony McGinley** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 8:11 am

I use this really neat FREE programme from Japan used for shakuhachi tuning:

http://www1.ocn.ne.jp/~tuner/tuner_e.html

It has a broad range of settings and a good display on screen, and it is fairly easy to use. There are versions for the PC and MAC.

Course if you want a portable machine - there are dozens to choose from.

slowair · Post by **slowair** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 9:26 am

I use the Korg myself. It's fanastic. Small and easy to use. And you can't beat the price.

I've seen them online at music123. com for $20 as well, which is where I got mine.

Good luck
Mike

dwinterfield · Post by **dwinterfield** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:29 am

Wanderer wrote:
Emrys wrote:I was recently at a Joannie Madden concert (fantastic!) and noticed that she used a small electronic tuner to get her whistles pitched just right before each tune. Now that I'm performing and using a bunch of whistles I realized it would be great to play that very first note in tune ... rather than the usual burst of out-of-tune glory that's inevitable when I'm changing tubes all the time. Does anyone have a PARTICULAR BRAND or type of tuner that they've used and can recommend?
I'm personally fond of the Korg CA-30. It's fairly compact, covers octaves C1 through C8, and is about $20.
http://www.samash.com/catalog/showitem. ... =KCA30XXXX

I originally had a QwikTune and it didn't cover the same range..I found myself using an online tuner though my computer whenever I reviewed high whistles, because the QwikTune didn't "hear" the 2nd octave.
http://www.apollosaxes.com/qwikguittun.html

I have one of these and use it from time to time. I didn't read the instructions, but just sort of figured it out.

barbuck · Post by **barbuck** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:30 am

I use the Korg also. Local stores here sell it for just under $20.
Accurate & easy to use.

fluti31415 · Post by **fluti31415** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 10:39 am

Korg -- I have had mine for about 15 years (they were quite expensive back then), and it has served me well. Even after being thrown against the wall a few times.

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:17 am

I use a Kwik Tune when testing out whistles. It seems to hear both octaves OK for me.
One interesting thing you'll notice when you have an electronic tuner is how much you can blow notes sharp or flat. The variation can be pretty dramatic.

Jay-eye · Post by **Jay-eye** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:32 am

Me too: Korg CA-30. It's the business. Strings Direct is probably the cheapest for UK buyers.

I had a Boss before but it wouldn't pick up the second octave on a high D whistle.

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 11:37 am

brewerpaul wrote:I use a Kwik Tune when testing out whistles. It seems to hear both octaves OK for me.
One interesting thing you'll notice when you have an electronic tuner is how much you can blow notes sharp or flat. The variation can be pretty dramatic.

Hmm..I wonder if we had the same model. I can't remember for sure if mine was QT-11 or QT-12. It appears the QT-11 is grey or silver, and the QT-12 is tan colored. But my qwiktune definitely didn't hear the 2nd octave on a soprano whistle.

brewerpaul · Post by **brewerpaul** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 2:35 pm

Wanderer wrote:
brewerpaul wrote:I use a Kwik Tune when testing out whistles. It seems to hear both octaves OK for me.
One interesting thing you'll notice when you have an electronic tuner is how much you can blow notes sharp or flat. The variation can be pretty dramatic.
Hmm..I wonder if we had the same model. I can't remember for sure if mine was QT-11 or QT-12. It appears the QT-11 is grey or silver, and the QT-12 is tan colored. But my qwiktune definitely didn't hear the 2nd octave on a soprano whistle.

Funny, but mine does not have a model number on it. It's a 10 yr old model, and is black.

Wanderer · Post by **Wanderer** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:01 pm

brewerpaul wrote:Funny, but mine does not have a model number on it. It's a 10 yr old model, and is black.

That might explain it then.

If we've got different models (which seems likely), it certainly is possible that they have different tuning ranges. I know that different models of Korgs do. For example, the Korg DT-7 has a range of A0 (27.50 Hz) to B7 (3,951.07 Hz)], whereas the DT-10 has a range of E0 (20.60Hz) to C8 (4186Hz).

burnsbyrne · Post by **burnsbyrne** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:08 pm

brewerpaul wrote:
Wanderer wrote:
brewerpaul wrote:I use a Kwik Tune when testing out whistles. It seems to hear both octaves OK for me.
One interesting thing you'll notice when you have an electronic tuner is how much you can blow notes sharp or flat. The variation can be pretty dramatic.
Hmm..I wonder if we had the same model. I can't remember for sure if mine was QT-11 or QT-12. It appears the QT-11 is grey or silver, and the QT-12 is tan colored. But my qwiktune definitely didn't hear the 2nd octave on a soprano whistle.
Funny, but mine does not have a model number on it. It's a 10 yr old model, and is black.

My Qwik Tune also blacks out above the first octave B on a high D whistle. It also doesn't have any model number on it. It has a bright yellow sticker the says "Lightning Fast Tuning" on the front and the words "Automatic Chromatic Tuner Qwik Tune." I don't use it any more.
Mike

Easily_Deluded_Fool · Post by **Easily_Deluded_Fool** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 3:25 pm

Emrys wrote:Does anyone have a PARTICULAR BRAND or type of tuner that they've used and can recommend?

From the UK

Seiko Chromatic Tuner
ST-747

IIRC £12 4(ish) years ago.
Used on all me whistles/flutes. didjerithingies,
dulcimers and harps.

HTH

talimirr743 · Post by **talimirr743** » Mon Jun 20, 2005 4:40 pm

I agree with Wanderer, I use a Korg and its always very accurate.

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Electronic Tuner for Pennywhistle?

Electronic Tuner for Pennywhistle?

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