Intonation: Factors Affecting?

Owen Barnes · Post by **Owen Barnes** » 30 Mar 2011 6:01 am

Need some input guys. I practice multiple times during a day. Sometimes wee morning hours, mid-morn, late night, etc. Sometimes I play along with recorded music and my intonation is pleasing to "my ears", other times, not so pleasing.

What factors affect this? Mental alertness, sinuses, what?? I'd appreciate any thoughts and thank you in advance.

Jesse Leite · Post by **Jesse Leite** » 30 Mar 2011 8:56 am

For me, bar position is usually the culprit. I can start out with a straight bar and nice intonation, but part-way through a song I get sloppy with my bar and screw up my intonation (usually play my chords too sharp). I agree with you, that problem can usually be solved with lots of practice and playing while alert VS. playing when tired. I believe our ears perform better when awake.

Andy Sandoval · Post by **Andy Sandoval** » 30 Mar 2011 10:46 am

Intonation shouldn't be a problem with a pedal steel unless the guitar scale length and fret board aren't set up properly. Proper placement of the bar is the key here. Your perceived intonation problem may be caused more by inconsistency in recording speeds between recordings. Cassette tapes are the worst .

Jim Bob Sedgwick · Post by **Jim Bob Sedgwick** » 2 Apr 2011 7:44 pm

Andy Sandoval wrote:Intonation shouldn't be a problem with a pedal steel unless the guitar scale length and fret board aren't set up properly. Proper placement of the bar is the key here. Your perceived intonation problem may be caused more by inconsistency in recording speeds between recordings. Cassette tapes are the worst .

AMEN !!!! On the positive side.... 99 percent of CD's are right on 440. It's a lot easier to practice playing along with a CD to stay in tune. Absolutely nobody can play right on 100 percent of the time. Answer practice, practice, practice (and sometimes you still miss)

admin · Post by **b0b** » 3 Apr 2011 10:10 am

Drugs. If you smoke pot, you can get to a state where nothing sounds in tune. If you drink, you can get to a state where everything sounds in tune. Your perception of intonation is highly dependent on your mental state. Caffeine and sugar intake can also be factors in perception.

Also, when you first sit down you are playing out of tune. It takes at least a couple of minutes to fully synchronize your body with your instrument, even under the best circumstances.

Kevin Hatton · Post by **Kevin Hatton** » 3 Apr 2011 10:18 am

Very keen and true observation.

Tim Heidner · Post by **Tim Heidner** » 4 Apr 2011 8:33 am

bar pressure, pushing down too hard