How to tune the nasty C#

[Valkyriemaiden77]

I'm talking about the open C# on an alto....how do you tune that ugly note? :?

[benjamin1979]

i found that if u practise the A=440, it will minimize this problem.

[GHawk]

Remember that C# is different from any other note because the air "escapes" from the horn quickly....unlike the D that's 1/2 step above it where almost all the toneholes are closed. You have to modify your airstream by slowing the air and "darkening" your oral cavity.

Try this: Alternate between the D2 and the open C# playing half nntes at about 60 beats per minute. Leave your right hand down when playing the C#. This exercise will allow you to develop the control necessary to play a decent sounding C#.

[BrandyLee]

Anytime I play a quick passage where I go from C# to another note that is closed on the bottom, I'll keep my right hand fingers down. I've heard it called "covered C#".

My C# generally isn't that bad though, so I find only using the 3 right hand keys will bring it nicely in tune. However, my teacher has recommended to me numerous times that I also keep down 3rd left hand and the register key. Every time I have a long C# he tells me that and every time we discover that my horn hisses when I do that and it makes it too flat. :rolleyes:

I generally cover on anything longer than a quarter note or if I have a passage where I have to go from open to a fingering where some of my right hand fingers are down. (C# to E = keep 2 fingers down ... C# to D = 3 fingers down ... etc.)

[KJ]

Try LH 3 (the G key only) with the octave key. Some people prefer this fingering to the open C#.

[G-dawg]

I'm assuming the note is playing flat? Be careful not to confuse tuning with a different timbre. Adding RH fingers will change the timbre, but not necessarily fix the tuning issues. Try adding the side 'C' key to help raise the pitch if it is flat.