Electronic Tuner for Pennywhistle?

[Emrys]

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]

@Emrys

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.asp?SKU=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]

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]

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]

@Wanderer

@Emrys

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.asp?SKU=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]

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

[fluti31415]

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]

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]

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]

@brewerpaul

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]

@Wanderer

@brewerpaul

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]

@brewerpaul

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]

@brewerpaul

@Wanderer

@brewerpaul

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]

@Emrys

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]

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

[Kingfisher]

Another vote for the Korg CA-30. I never imagined that I would be with the popular choice , on this one. The two things that make it “work” for me is it’s reliability and portability. I just stick it in my shirt pocket and drag it out whenever I feel the need. I’ts there when I need it !!

Have a Great Day and Fun Whistling !!

[Emrys]

Thanks folks for the advice. I’ve been resisting buying a tuner for 35 years. (I’m a professional piano tuner, trained to tune by ear.) But when it comes to getting those first notes right on the whistle, yeaowww! By the way, I just got two gorgeous whistles today from Mike Burke – a low A and low G!

[Dale]

@talimirr743

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

Was in the market for a tuner, found this thread, and ordered the Korg. Amazon.com is now selling assorted musical instrument items in association with certain merchants. Anyway, I ordered it through amazon.com and it was $15.

Dale

[Wanderer]

@DaleWisely

@talimirr743

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

Was in the market for a tuner, found this thread, and ordered the Korg. Amazon.com is now selling assorted musical instrument items in association with certain merchants. Anyway, I ordered it through amazon.com and it was $15.

Dale

Cool..just be careful about some merchants through Amazon. I think Lark in the Morning has a straight $10.00 shipping fee, so a $15.00 tuner becomes $25.00, no cheaper than anywhere else.

[Adrian]

Korg CA20

Adrian