Tuning the Whole Instrument
Always remember, when you tune play with the steadiest pitch you can, and tune with a solo quality dynamic and tone. This is necessary to make sure that when you start playing other things, your instrument is consistently plays in tune with different playing styles and dynamics.
To find which tuning slide tunes what is very simple. The main tuning slide, which tunes the whole instrument, will likely be the only one with a spit valve on it. Also, it is the only slide thats pipe goes to the bell of the instrument, and only has one end connected to a valve. To find the slide for any specific valve you simply look for the slide with both lengths of pipe connecting to the specific valve.
Before you start tuning any of the valves, it is necessary to start with the main tuning slide, which tunes the full instrument. To tune you start by playing a concert B flat (on treble clef you will be playing a C) while you have a tuner playing a concert B flat to compare your pitch to.
You will hear differentiation in the pitches, because you can hear the sound waves not lining up and conflicting. You will need to change your concert F pitch until it aligns with that of the tuner F. This can be done by pulling out, and pushing in on the tuning slide. Pulling out will make the pitch go flat (or lower) and pushing in will make the itch more sharp (or higher).
Once you hear the pitches align, and there is nothing conflicting, you are in tune.
To find which tuning slide tunes what is very simple. The main tuning slide, which tunes the whole instrument, will likely be the only one with a spit valve on it. Also, it is the only slide thats pipe goes to the bell of the instrument, and only has one end connected to a valve. To find the slide for any specific valve you simply look for the slide with both lengths of pipe connecting to the specific valve.
Before you start tuning any of the valves, it is necessary to start with the main tuning slide, which tunes the full instrument. To tune you start by playing a concert B flat (on treble clef you will be playing a C) while you have a tuner playing a concert B flat to compare your pitch to.
You will hear differentiation in the pitches, because you can hear the sound waves not lining up and conflicting. You will need to change your concert F pitch until it aligns with that of the tuner F. This can be done by pulling out, and pushing in on the tuning slide. Pulling out will make the pitch go flat (or lower) and pushing in will make the itch more sharp (or higher).
Once you hear the pitches align, and there is nothing conflicting, you are in tune.
Tuning Individual Valves
You should not get into this until you have tuned the main tuning valve. The steps you follow are the same as those for the main tuning slide, except that your tuning pitches will be different.
1st valve: you will tune on a concert E flat (on treble clef you will be playing an F flat)
2nd valve: you will tune on a concert E (on treble clef you will be playing a F)
3rd valve: you will tune on a concert G (on treble clef you will be playing an A)
4th valve: you will tune on a concert F (on treble clef you will be playing a G)
1st valve: you will tune on a concert E flat (on treble clef you will be playing an F flat)
2nd valve: you will tune on a concert E (on treble clef you will be playing a F)
3rd valve: you will tune on a concert G (on treble clef you will be playing an A)
4th valve: you will tune on a concert F (on treble clef you will be playing a G)
For Tuners that Don't Play Aloud
This type of tuner will generally have a mic on it. Play your note and the tuner will pick it up, and tell you if you are flat or sharp. Follow the same steps with tuning until your tuner says you are in tune.