Manny Laureano

This is a complex subject and a simple one. If something's out of tune, it's out of tune. That's the simple part. The complex part has to do with an instrument that plays in two different keys, A and Bb. The slides don't change and what many people experience is a sharp high F. You pull out the first slide and the D is flat. That's why dave has been hesitant to build a four valve A/Bb instrument: because of the compromises in intonation.

And, yeah, Robin's right. People do, for the most part, tend to play sharp and sharper still on the piccolo. I also think rims have a lot to do with people's comfort on an instrument. It's very difficult to find the right rim unless you have a half dozen mouthpieces from which to choose right in front of you.

What to do? Scales, scales, scales. Arpeggios, arpeggios, arpeggios. Relax, relax, relax.

As to the imperfections, i would call the shop. Dave doesn't like stuff getting out if it's not right and I'm sure it just was unnoticed before it left the shop. It happens.

ML