Klarinet Archive - Posting 001140.txt from 1998/07

From: Lee Hickling <hickling@-----.Net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Keys
Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 01:24:36 -0400

I agree with Dan Yungkurth on this:
>I can't imagine that present-day orchestras or bands play in a
>theoretically correct version of pure temperament, equal temperament or any
>other definable "scale". Discussions with professional clarinetists in
>major orchestras have convinced me that these players adjust pitch on any
>sustained note so that it sounds "correct" in the chord. Ultimately the
>ear, rather than any theoretical scale or tuning, determines what pitch is
>correct in a given situation.

I once learned a set of alternate fingerings for the clarinet, which were
to adjust the pitch of notes when they were the leading tone (ti, 7th step
of a scale). I've forgotten most of them, because I seldom use them. When
necessary, I sharpen or flatten notes with adjustments in my embouchure,
usually without conscious thought. Isn't this what most single reed players
do? It's easy on the saxophone, where the intonation can be raised or
lowered considerably with the lip. On the clarinet I find it more difficult
to make more than slight adjustments, and almost impossible toward the
bottom of the chalumeau register. Fortunately, those notes seem usually to
be in pretty good tune once G2 or C1 is in tune with the rest of an ensemble.

Lee Hickling <hickling@-----.net>

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