Back to alphabetical overview – click here
Intonation – Definition
Intonation is the accuracy of musical pitch. It describes how precisely a note is played or sung in tune relative to its intended pitch and to other notes.
What is Intonation?
Good intonation means producing notes at the correct pitch. On instruments such as the violin, trombone, or the human voice, musicians continuously adjust pitch while performing. Pitch accuracy is often measured in cents, where one semitone equals 100 cents.
On the piano, the pitch of each key is fixed by the tuning of the instrument. As a result, intonation depends primarily on the quality of the tuning rather than on the performer’s technique.
How is Intonation used in piano playing?
Although pianists do not adjust the pitch of individual notes during performance, they rely on accurate intonation when playing with other musicians. A well-tuned piano blends more effectively with voices and other instruments.
Understanding intonation also supports ear training, tuning awareness, and ensemble playing by helping pianists recognize when an instrument requires tuning or when another instrument is out of tune.