THE CHROMATIC TUNER

A chromatic tuner can be used to tune your guitar, bass, banjo, violin, or any musical instrument. But, a chromatic tuner serves more than one function. Besides tuning a wide variety of instruments, they may also be used to help vocalists find pitch and aid with ear training.

Many people are switching over from using a pitch pipe that you blow on, to using Farley's electronic Chromatic PocketTones.

Farley's Musical Essentials makes two electronic chromatic tuners, the Chromatic-C and the Chromatic-F PocketTones. They can be used for virtually any instrument and have specialized uses as well. A capella singers, quartets, and choral groups find PocketTones indispensable; it is a must, especially when there is no piano or other reference instrument near by. The PocketTones chromatic tone generator is ideal for personal practice, note identification, and development of relative or perfect pitch. It is a great tool for ear training. PocketTones are sleek in design and are more practical than a pitch pipe or tuning fork because PocketTones have twelve buttons for individual note selection, volume control, and an on/off switch. With the PocketTones volume turned down quietly, you can make it so just those signing in your quartet can hear the note, or you can increase the volume so the note can be heard by as many as fifty people in a choir. Also, with a classic pitch pipe you have to worry about contracting germs when other people blow in it, but with PocketTones you will never have to worry about that.

If you own the Chromatic PocketTones, here are some practical ideas for its use:

• Practice pitch matching. Play the tone and then sing the pitch.
• Sing a unison or harmony pitch with the PocketTones. See if your voice can remain constant and unwavering, like the tone you are matching.
• Practice developing relative/perfect pitch. Attempt to sing the tone before pushing the button. The chromatic PocketTones can be useful to you anytime, anywhere. Its on your keychain, so when you find yourself with a spare minute anywhere, you can work on singing the pitch first and then checking yourself with the tones.
• Learn a melody line. If you dont have access to a piano, you can pick out the pitches on the Pocket Tone to help you learn a melody from sheet music.
• Have a chance to sing somewhere but theres no music? Make sure you get started on the right pitch!
• Practice and learn intervals. Develop your musical ear by learning to identify the sound of one note to another.

The Chromatic-C and Chromatic-F PocketTones can be purchased at your local music store. Click a product below to order. Contact Farleys for further information.