Klarinet Archive - Posting 000056.txt from 1995/08

From: John Roman <JohnARoman@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Tuning
Date: Thu, 3 Aug 1995 20:51:45 -0400

On August 3, Jack Dannenberg wrote:

<<All right, I admit it. I use an electronic tuner when tuning>>

You and me both, Jack.

<<Although
I may hear that I am not in tune I can't tell which way I am off. By the
time I try changing something to see if it is worse or better I can't
hear the original note (usually because the brass has decided they
should at least make a show at tuning). I also have not been blessed
or cursed with a "good ear".>>

My "good ear" also doesn't seem to be readily available when I need it most.
I do find that sometimes I can hear better than at other times and am often
able to tune other musicians better than I can tune myself.

Although, I can always tell whether I'm sharp of flat after I begin playing,
by then it's already late to make the adjustment. I know for a fact that my
ear often gets confused by the timbre (sound quality) of various instruments
while tuning.

I use an electronic tuner because it's available, accurate, dependable, and
fast. I also don't see anything wrong with using something that can make me
a better performer. However, I have often felt a little uncomfortable when
my ear lets me down and I have to depend on someone else or a machine to
correct a pitch discrepency. On the other hand, consider the number of
"musicians" who don't even seem to be aware (or care) that they're out of
tune (especially in community groups). Maybe we're blessed with "good ears"
after all.

John Roman