Klarinet Archive - Posting 000826.txt from 1997/05

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Pitch of tuning notes
Date: Fri, 30 May 1997 09:24:13 -0400

On Thu, 29 May 1997 VN1@-----.com wrote:

> I have noticed that when tuning to the oboe many other wind players do not
> adjust their instruments, but simply blow the note higher or lower. I find
> this often true for flute players, who frequently play sharp. I assume that
> a cold instrument will explain that, but I would appreciate knowing more from
> you folks. I am aware that only percussion instruments come "in tune," and
> that it is up to the player to play in tune by whatever means is necessary.

It seems entirely possible that the availability of electronic tuners has
caused a general decline in aural acuity. For too many musicians, it is
too easy and too tempting to play pitches into the tuner, and assume that
if they can get the needle to "zero out," they are in tune, and will be in
tune in an ensemble.

Before these devices were so widely used, we had to actually listen and
adjust to each other in the orchestra or quintet. If a chord was out of
tune, there would be much playing notes together, listening, adjusting and
negoiation. Sometimes such discussions could become rather heated. Now,
however, if it is suggested that a certain player or a certain note is
sharp or flat, the easy "fix" is to get out the tuner and demonstrate that
the note in question can be played in such a way that the needle will
indicate that the intonation of the pitch is "correct." This, of course,
proves nothing as far as the context of the ensemble is concerned.

I hope we are not producing a generation of musicians who will accept the
electronic tuner as a substitute for good musical ears, and who will
thereby become slaves to a machine. But, I'm not confident that this is
not happening. The tuner can be a very useful machine if used
intelligently.

Ed Lacy
*****************************************************************
Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
*****************************************************************