Doublereed Archive - Posting 000039.txt from 2004/02

From: Einar Bech <einbech@-----.no>
Subj: Fwd: [DR-L] tuneupsystem
Date: Sun, 8 Feb 2004 04:33:19 -0500

>From: Arthur Grossman <artg@-----.edu>
>Date: Tue, 3 Feb 2004 10:24:31 -0800 (PST)
>
>I have been asked to review a program for tuning. Let me state at the
>outset that I have absolutely no commercial relationship whatsoever with
>the developer of this program. The program contains a CD and a booklet
>with tuning exercises. I tried the program with both bassoon and
>contrabassoon and it is terrific. I was skeptical of being able to use it
>on contra, but it works wonderfully. In fact, when I get my new
>contraforte, one of the first things I will do is check it completely
>against this CD. I have never been fond of the way most people use
>electronic tuners for two reasons; one, it is visual rather than aural,
>and two, the tendency is to play until the needle gets to the middle and
>think you have solved the problem. You haven't for several reasons. In
>the first place, the need is to get the note in tune from the beginning,
>not some time later and secondly, unless one is very sophisticated in the
>use of the tuner, it only prepares one for equal temperament. This
>program is based on just intonation and teaches one to hear the interval
>without beats, which is the goal. The program goes through all keys, and
>if the booklet is read carefully, explains just intonation in an
>accessible manner.
>
>If there are any minor carps, firstly, one should have a CD player with a
>remote, because you are going to want to repeat the various tracks ( I
>actually wish they were longer, especially for students). Repetition is
>the best way to learn anything musically, and this is no exception. The
>exercises are all written in treble clef, which is no problem for a
>professional player, but may cause difficulties for students. If the
>student has to concentrate to read the music, I fear that less attention
>will be paid to listening. I am sure that the developer of the program
>could easily provide a bass clef addendum.
>
>The program is available through:
>
>www.tuneupsystems.com
>
>
>
>Arthur Grossman, Professor Emeritus
>Bassoon, Heckelphone and Contrabassoon
>School of Music
>Box 353450
>University of Washington
>Seattle, WA 98195-3450
>
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