Oboe Tuner
This oboe tuner shows the note you are playing and how far it is from the target. The oboe reads at concert pitch, so the letter matches your music, and you can use it to check the A you give to the orchestra.
Play a tuning note
The microphone is only used while the tuner runs. Sound is analysed on your device and never recorded or sent anywhere.
Oboe tuning notes
The oboe reads at concert pitch, so the tuner shows the same note you play. These are the usual tuning notes, with the pitch the tuner listens for at A = 440 Hz.
| Concert pitch | Frequency |
|---|---|
| A4 | 440.00 Hz |
| B♭4 | 466.16 Hz |
Not sure of a fingering? The oboe fingering chart shows every note and plays it at the right pitch.
How to tune an oboe
- Soak the reed and warm up with long tones.
- Play A (second space) with a steady, centred sound and your normal embouchure.
- Read the needle. Small differences can be fixed with how far the reed sits in the socket. Bigger ones point to the reed.
- Check low and high notes. If the octaves disagree, the reed’s opening or scrape is usually the cause.
The reed controls the pitch
Unlike brass or flute, the oboe has almost no mechanical tuning. A reed that is shorter, harder or more closed plays sharp; longer, softer or more open plays flat. Keep a few reeds in rotation and check each one with the tuner so you know which suits which room.
Giving the A
When you give the A, play it at a medium dynamic with a steady, plain sound, and hold it long enough for everyone to tune. Use the “Play a tuning note” button here to check your A against 440 Hz (or 441 or 442 if your group uses that) before rehearsal.
Oboe Tuner FAQ
How do you tune an oboe?
The oboe has no tuning slide. Pitch comes mostly from the reed and your embouchure. Pull the reed out of the socket very slightly to lower the pitch, but most changes come from reed adjustments and how much reed you take in your mouth.
Why does the oboe give the A to the orchestra?
The oboe's pitch is hard to adjust, and its clear sound is easy to hear across the ensemble. So everyone else tunes to the oboe. Use the tuner to make sure your A is centred before you give it.
My oboe is always sharp. What can I do?
A reed that is too short, closed or hard plays sharp, and biting raises the pitch. Try a longer or softer reed, relax the jaw, and check the tuner again.
My oboe is flat. What can I do?
A reed that is too long, open or soft plays flat, as does a loose embouchure. Push the reed fully into the socket, firm up the corners of the mouth, and consider a different reed.
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