| The best way to test the inherent tuning of a horn is to play it enough to be familiar with it, and then use it at a rehearsal with a group that's known to play well in tune. Not an easy, quick way, but probably the most reliable way to do it. Of course, if you test a horn on a tuner and the intonation is all over the place, that's probably an indication that you don't want that horn.
I've played horns that were practically perfect on a tuner (using the blind test method) and were terrible with a group. Problem is, similar instruments have similar intonation tendencies. These tendencies don't always match the tuner, but many times will match the group just fine, so everything sounds in tune even when some notes may actually be sharp or flat on a tuner. Sort of a relative intonation concept.
A horn that has "loose slots" will play in tune (or out of tune) with anyone, because it's up to the player to match the tuning on most every note. I prefer a good horn that slots well for the majority of my playing, which leans toward the classical side of things. That way, I can concentrate on other aspects of playing and largely forget about whether this or that note is in tune (but I'm always listening!). A "loose" horn is fun for big band and jazz, however, because bending notes is so much easier.
The horn isn't the only factor, either. The mouthpiece can affect intonation as well as slotting. The player is also a factor. A big factor. |