Mellophone tuner online (F)
The mellophone in F sounds a perfect fifth below written: on a plain tuner your written C shows as F. This mellophone tuner opens with the F transposition on, so the note on screen is the note in your part, and the needle and cents show how far to move the slide.
How to use it
- Warm up with long tones for a couple of minutes, then press Turn on microphone.
- Play your tuning note, usually written C (concert F) or written F (concert B♭).
- Needle left (flat): push the main tuning slide in. Needle right (sharp): pull it out.
- Check notes on each valve and adjust the valve slides where they disagree.
Help and explanations
It runs in the browser and records nothing. If your band tunes to a different reference, change the reference A in the settings.
Mellophone and French horn
Both are pitched in F and read a fifth above concert pitch, but the mellophone sounds one octave higher than the horn and is played with the bell forward and the right hand off the bell. That is why tuning on the mellophone depends only on the slides, not on the hand position. For horn, use the French horn tuner.
Tips
- Outdoors, tune in the conditions you will play in: cold air makes brass play flat.
- Tune the whole line to the same note and slide position check, then confirm by ear in unison.
- Play the note before looking at the needle; let your ear lead.
Frequently asked questions
What key is the mellophone in?
Most modern mellophones are in F. Some older marching models are in E♭ or G; choose that transposition in the menu.
How do I tune a mellophone?
Warm up, play written C and move the main tuning slide until the needle is centered: push in if flat, pull out if sharp.
Why does my tuner show F when I play C?
Because a plain tuner shows concert pitch. This page adds the F transposition and shows your written note.
Is there a mellophone tuner app?
You do not need one: this tuner works in your phone or computer browser.