I've found that teaching tuning and intonation to students can be very challenging. It is not something that can be learned instantaneously, but is a skill that must be carefully developed over time.

In my experiences, tuning is taught by saying, "Get rid of the beats," "Pull out," or "push in." This probably sounds very familiar to some people, but is there an understanding of what is actually happening? My instincts tell me that there isn't. Amidst the time crunches and pressures from administrators and parents to put on a concert, we become completely engulfed in preparing that concert. When really as MUSIC educators we neglect teaching the skills necessary to become fine musicians.


To nurture a sense of intonation, one must get students to listen. Not hear, but listen. Once a student becomes focused and listens to the sound, work with intonation can begin. 


It seems that there is a giant black hole where knowledge about tuning exists, but so many are afraid to delve into it in the correct manor. More to come in future posts about my specific thoughts on the sequencing of instruction needed to nurture Intonationally independent students.


~Neal Raskin