Clarinet Tuner

Clarinet tuning notes

Tuning note	B♭ clarinet reads	A clarinet reads	E♭ clarinet reads	B♭ bass clarinet (treble clef) reads	Concert pitch	Frequency (A4 = 440)
Open G (throat)	G4	A♭4	D4	G5	F4	349.23 Hz
Third-space C	C5	C♯5	G4	C6	B♭4	466.16 Hz
Orchestra tuning note	B4	C5	F♯4	B5	A4	440.00 Hz
Low C (chalumeau)	C4	C♯4	G3	C5	B♭3	233.08 Hz

Concert pitch vs written pitch

The common clarinet is pitched in B♭: a written C sounds as concert B♭. The A clarinet sounds a minor third lower than written, the E♭ clarinet a minor third higher, and the bass clarinet (in treble clef) a major ninth lower. Pick yours above and the tuner shows the note on your music. When a director asks for "concert B♭", B♭ clarinet players play their written C.

How to tune a clarinet with this tuner

Warm the clarinet up by playing for a few minutes — a cold instrument plays flat.
Press Start tuner, allow the microphone and play a steady open G, then a third-space C (written), at a medium volume.
If you are flat, push the barrel in; if sharp, pull the barrel out (about 1 mm at a time).
Check a clarion-register note (for example the C an octave above). If the upper register is flat while the low one is fine, pull out at the middle joint instead of the barrel.

Clarinet tuning tips

Barrel vs middle joint

Pulling the barrel affects throat tones most; pulling at the middle joint lowers the upper-joint notes more evenly. Most players use both by a small amount.

Reed and embouchure

A soft reed or a loose embouchure makes the clarinet flat; biting makes it sharp. Tune with your normal sound.

Throat tones

Throat A and B♭ tend to be sharp and stuffy on many clarinets. Resonance fingerings (adding right-hand fingers) can bring them down.

Shorter barrels

If you are sharp even with the barrel pulled out several millimetres, a longer barrel (for example 67 mm instead of 65 mm) may help.

Tune by ear with reference notes

No microphone? Press a reference note above to hear it for three seconds and match it, listening for the "beats" (a wobble) to slow down and disappear. The buttons are labelled with the note you read in the selected setting, with the concert pitch underneath.

FAQ

Why does the tuner say B♭ when I play C on my clarinet?

The B♭ clarinet is a transposing instrument: written C sounds as concert B♭. This tuner shows the written note by default. Choose "Concert pitch" to see what a piano would call it.

What note do clarinets tune to?

Bands usually tune to concert B♭ (written C for clarinet) and orchestras to concert A (written B on B♭ clarinet). Many clarinettists also check open G (concert F).

Why is my clarinet sharp?

The barrel may be pushed in too far, the room may be warm, or you may be biting the reed. Pull out the barrel slightly and relax the embouchure.

Can I use this for bass clarinet?

Yes. Choose "B♭ bass clarinet (treble clef)", which shows the written note a major ninth above concert pitch.