Klarinet Archive - Posting 000592.txt from 1995/05

From: Bill Hall <billhall@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: Weird keys
Date: Sat, 20 May 1995 00:00:35 -0400

In regard to the discussion of the different keys having different moods, or
"colors" or whatever...

I've always heard this, too, but I really can't tell the difference. Several
things puzzle me about this proposition:

1. If the orchestra is playing in Bb, a clarinet is playing in C. Wouldn't
that mean that the clarinets would have the "color" of C (whatever that is),
not Bb? And the Eb instruments would have the "color" of G, in this case.

2. As John Roman stated in his recent message, since we use the
well-tempered scale, aren't the tones at the same mathematical intervals
regardless of key?

3. Is there a difference in the "color" of the keys if you tune to A 440 as
opposed to any other tuning?

4. If there really is anything to this theory, someone ought to be able to
explain it scientifically. That is, what is it about the intervals or
whatever that creates these

5. I saw somewhere a reference to a method whereby a person could learn
perfect pitch by learning the characteristics of the sound of the different
notes. That is, supposedly, E has qualities that F or G don't have.
Supposedly you can learn to recognize these qualities. Anyone else heard of
this? (Sounds like a good way to sell books and / or equipment to the unwary.)

================================================
Hey, just because I _look_ dumb doesn't mean I'm _not_!
Bill Hall (billhall@-----.net) Dallas