Klarinet Archive - Posting 000750.txt from 1997/12

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Tuning the Orchestra
Date: Mon, 15 Dec 1997 06:25:04 -0500

At 05:56 AM 12/15/97 -0500, Avrahm Galper wrote:

Sounds about right to me, especially the part about what an oboe sounds
like! :-)

>Tuning the Orchestra
>
>This appeared in this morning's paper, the Globe and Mail.
>The question is: which instrument is used in an orchestra to tune all
>the instruments.
>The answer came from Heather Jones of Montreal." The oboe is the
>instrument.
>I have played the oboe for seven years and played in an orchestra for
>five of them, at which time I was responsible for tuning the orchestra "
>She tells us the instruments are tuned to the note of A and the tuning
>is done in sections.
>First the woodwinds are tuned, then the brass. Lower strings and then
>the violins.
>She says the oboe is a double reed instrument and can produce a sound
>similar to that made by the duck. The oboe is used for tuning because it
>can't really be tuned itself and oboist can hold a steady pitch.
>It really comes down to being able to maintain an A for a long time and
>have a good ear.
>Tuning by the way is done just before the performance begins, after the
>instruments have had a chance to warm up.
>"Next time you go to concert," Ms Jones concludes," listen at the
>beginning for the piercing A of the oboe, amid the rustling of the
>people sitting next to you."
>
>This is what the newspaper quoted. Any thoughts?
>
>Avrahm Galper
>
>

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.