Klarinet Archive - Posting 000060.txt from 1995/08

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Tuning
Date: Fri, 4 Aug 1995 10:04:30 -0400

We all have problems with tuning. Yes, some of us have better ears than
others but since tuning is such a subjective thing, even if you have a
great sense of pitch, you can be out of tune with those around you. And
that doesn't even take into account ambient room temperature, etc. So my
advice is to play every note on your instrument with the tuner and
memorize where your instrument is on each note. Then either lip them up or
down each time you play them slowly enough that they can be heard. I've
found this very successful. Since I am always in the ballpark I have a
decent chance of being right, or at least, I'm close enough that someone
else with a better ear can adjust easily to my pitch. Hope my $.02 has
been helpful.

Fred Jacobowitz

On Thu, 3 Aug 1995, John Roman wrote:

> 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
>