Tuner Introduction

Why would I need to buy a tuner?

During your playing career you will undoubtedly tune your instrument or check its pitch many, many thousands of times. It is essential that this task is performed regularly and accurately - otherwise perfect intonation becomes more difficult to archive simply because an out of pitch string or strings will make your fingers slightly out of position in relationship to the standard positions that you have learnt through long and dedicated hours of practice. Your ears should quickly tell you that something isn't quite right - but should you continue to play out of tune - your colleagues in the section will quickly notice. As the rehearsal drags on - the resultant tension and frustration that seems to build within the section is not conducive to good music making or to keeping ones job.

What sort of tuner do you recommend?

The Contrabass Shoppe Ltd - currently has one make of tuner available... the TGI Chromatic Tuner Metronome.

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TGI Chromatic Tuner Metronome.

Tell me briefly about the TGI Chromatic Tuner Metronome.

The TGI Chromatic Tuner Metronome is a great looking tuner, metronome and tone generator - all in one unit. It is compact, easy to use and features a clear display, a contact microphone and earphones. The compact microphone will be of special benefit to double bass players for it clips quickly and easily onto the bridge. The microphone directly picks up the vibrations of the instrument so that it can be tuned quickly and accurately even in noisy surroundings.

But if it's mid rehearsal or concert - I can't just tune-up when I want to.

Yes - normally we would say that the above statement is quite correct - that is unless you just happen to have one of these ingenious TGI Chromatic Tuners with you.

How so? Are you telling me that I can use the TGI Chromatic Tuner Metronome to discreetly tune my instrument up at any time that I want to or need to?

Yes - obviously circumstances permitting. Throughout your career there will be many occasions when you will need to check the tuning of your instrument in situations that require the act to be done discreetly or in situations in which the act is virtually impossible due to a cacophony of other noises such as a whole orchestra of other musicians all tuning up at exactly the same time. This is precisely when the advantages on the TGI Chromatic Tuner Metronome become most apparent. All you need to do is switch the unit on, attach the clip on pickup to the top of the bridge and pop in the earphones. You can then tune using the lightest of bow-strokes or touches. Perfect to quickly and accurately check over the pitch of your strings just before a big bass solo such as the one in Mahler Symphony No 1 or in the suite from Lieutenant Kijé by Prokofiev.

Tell me more about the tuner features of the TGI Chromatic Tuner Metronome.

The unit is packed full of useful features as follows;

1. Three LED lights quickly let you know visually whether you are sharp, flat or spot on pitch.
2. The pitch of your instrument can be detected either by using the internal microphone or by using the external clip on microphone.
3. The tuning range is incredibly wide and can detect pitch from A1 (55Hz) - B7 (3951.07Hz)
4. The tuner can be set automatically or manually to detect the pitch. There is a pitch shift of 435hz to 445hz.
5. The unit can be set to produce sound. It has a range of one octave at A4 (440Hz) pitch.
6. It has an easy-to-see large LCD screen that shows the calibrated pitch, the note name and a meter with swaying tuning needle to indicate whether the tuning is sharp, flat or spot on.

Tell me more about the metronome features of the TGI Chromatic Tuner Metronome.

The unit has the following useful features;

1. A tempo range of 34-230 beats per minute. That's basically "Largo" to "Prestissimo".
2. Six accenting beats for 1/4, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 3/8 and 6/8 time.
3. A loud volume.
4. It has an easy-to-see large LCD screen that shows the note name, the tempo speed in beats per minute, the time signature and a moving display that shows which beat of the bar you are on from 1-4 in the selected time signature.

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How small is the device?

The device measures only 10.0 x 6.3 x 1.7cm and has a weight of only 83gms including the batteries. In short - this means that the TGI Chromatic Tuner Metronome can easily be carried about in ones pocket or in the back of a bass bib.

What does the TGI Chromatic Tuner Metronome come supplied with?

Believe it or not the TGI Chromatic Tuner Metronome comes complete with the following;

1. An integral stand in the back that simply folds out.
2. Two AAA size batteries.
3. Contact pickup and 6.4mm jack.
4. Earphones and 3.4mm jack.
5. Instruction manual.

Final Summary:

The TGI Chromatic Tuner Metronome really is packed full of assistance-goodies for bass players. Being able to attach a contact mic to the top of one's bridge to tune discreetly and without interference from external noise must have been designed especially with bass players in mind. The concept and practicality is simply brilliant. We Boffins at The Contrabass Shoppe also like the fact that the device can easily be carried onto the concert stage in a shirt or trouser pocket or using a minimal amount of room in the pocket of a bass bib. For sure - no bass player should be without this excellent piece of kit.

Stats:

Dimensions: 10.0cm x 6.3cm x 1.7cm
Total weight inc batteries: 83gm
TGI Chromatic Tuner Metronome - Price UK£ 24-00
Shipping costs - UK, EU and USA - UK£8-00