Klarinet Archive - Posting 000921.txt from 1998/05

From: "Carl Schexnayder" <carlsche@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re:Tuning
Date: Sat, 16 May 1998 02:57:00 -0400

>If the band tunes on concert Bb, the clarinetist can tune his octave c's
>and the 5th....which is a Concert F - including the octaves.
>
>If the band throws out an A, the clarinetist can tune his octave B's
>(knowing the low B is sharp, the long B is usually low or in tune, and the
>upper B is in tune or sharp - depending on mouthpiece) - the clarinetist
>can also check his 5ths.......octave F#'s.
>
>If the Band throws out a Concert F - it makes no difference to the
>clarinetist.....he already tuned the 5th with the Concert Bb.
>
>I guess you can tune using one or tune "key" notes......just tune more
>octaves and 5ths.
>
>Roger Garrett
>IWU
>
I like to have each member of my band use a tuning chart and check all of
the pitches on the instrument and then, work on fixing them. We recently
aquired new euphoniums/euphonia (?)and horns. What I did was to sit with
them in a sectional rehearsal and, after tuning the open instrument and
tuning all valve slided, check each fingering for each note until we found
the ones that were best in tune. Then, I made them fingering charts and I
insist that they use those fingerings, (even though some of them are
awkward), except in technical passages. That worked very well for us.

Generally speaking, when tuning the whole band at the beginning of the year,
I wait until their embouchures are fairly well set and they can hold a
steady pitch. Then I tune the whole band with the strobe. I have everyone
who can take a pencil and mark the head joint, the cork, or the tuning
slide. I have the clarinets use tuning rings.

After that, I almost never touch the strobo-tuner during rehearsal. I
require them to listen and do the tuning themselves. If someone can't, I'll
tell them whether their sharp or flat and we work on the problem. Often, I
find I have to work on the instrument to get keys adjusted correctly.

Trombones always come to me with horrible slide positions and I have to have
them sit in front of the strobe and fix their positions for the various
pitches.

I always make sure to stick to one brand and model of instrument when
possible. I do the same with mouthpieces, reeds, barrels, ligatures, etc.
Only occasionally do I make exceptions. Works very well.

Of course, all of this depends on each person learning proper tone
production fundamentals.

I know this wouldn't work for a community band, but works very well in a
high school situation.

Carl Schexnayder
>---------------------------------------------------------------------
>For additional commands, e-mail: klarinet-help@-----.org
>For other problems, e-mail: klarinet-owner@-----.org
>

---------------------------------------------------------------------
For additional commands, e-mail: klarinet-help@-----.org
For other problems, e-mail: klarinet-owner@-----.org