Cornet tuner online (B♭)
The cornet in B♭ sounds a whole step below written: on a plain tuner your written C shows as B♭. This cornet tuner opens with the B♭ transposition on, so the note on screen is the note in your part, and the needle and cents tell you how far to move the main tuning slide.
How to use it
- Play a few long tones first: a cold cornet plays flat.
- Press Turn on microphone and play your tuning note, usually written C (concert B♭) or written G (concert F).
- Needle left (flat): push the main tuning slide in. Needle right (sharp): pull it out.
- Check a few notes with each valve combination and adjust the valve slides where they disagree.
Help and explanations
Playing E♭ soprano cornet in a brass band? Choose E♭ in the Transposition menu: the note name will be right, but the octave number shows one octave higher, because that option is set for alto sax and alto horn. Everything runs in the browser and nothing is recorded or uploaded.
Cornet, trumpet and flugelhorn
The B♭ cornet, the B♭ trumpet and the flugelhorn all read the same way, a whole step above concert pitch, so the same tuning routine works for all three. The cornet's shorter wrap and more conical bore make it a little more forgiving, but the tuning slide does the same job. See also the trumpet tuner.
Tips
- Tune after warming up and with the band at playing temperature: brass goes sharp as it warms.
- Use the 1st and 3rd valve slide triggers for notes like low D and C♯, which are naturally sharp.
- Play the note, then look: check your ear first, then the needle.
Frequently asked questions
Is a cornet in B♭?
The standard cornet is in B♭, like the trumpet. Brass bands also use one E♭ soprano cornet, which sounds a minor third above written; with the E♭ option the note name is right and the octave reads one higher.
Why does a normal tuner show B♭ when I play C?
Because the tuner shows concert pitch. This page adds the B♭ transposition, so it shows your written note.
How do I tune a cornet?
Warm up, play written C or G and move the main tuning slide: push in if flat, pull out if sharp, until the needle is centered.
Is there a cornet tuner app?
You do not need one: this tuner works in your phone or computer browser.