Klarinet Archive - Posting 000183.txt from 1998/09

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Short barrels
Date: Sun, 6 Sep 1998 09:01:10 -0400

On Sat, 5 Sep 1998, Bill Hausmann wrote:
> Numerous instruments are now being pitched at A=442 instead of the former
> A@-----. For example, if you buy orchestral bells from either Yamaha
> (Deagan) or Ludwig/Musser, they will now be pitched at 442 unless specified
> otherwise. And the new Selmer 103 clarinet has just replaced the 100. One
> of the biggest changes is to raise it to A@-----. It sure looks like pitch
> creep to me! I'm sure if I did a search, I would find references about the
> "brighter" sound resulting from higher pitch right here in the list archives.

If I understand you properly, you are suggesting that "numerous
instruments," percussion instruments manufactured by Yamaha or
Ludwig/Musser, and the new Selmer 103 are being pitched higher because of
a "stupid trend" in European orchestras?

If there is a "trend" to raise pitch by a few instrument makers, and you
notice that "trend", and, you can further document it by doing a
search......that's great! But there are three issues on the table
here.....and only two that I have really argued with. The first, and most
important in my estimation, is your belief that this "trend" is somehow
related to a raising pitch standard by European Orchestras. My initial
post in response to Gary's statement was that I don't believe there is a
raising pitch standard in European orchestras.....they have played at
445-447 for over 30 or 40 years that we can document by recordings.

The second issue then, is if the European orchestras purposefully raise
pitch for a "brighter sound." I suggested that you find some reference to
cite that will help support such a belief. Please note, I do not mean
American instrument manufacturers raising pitch on a percussion instrument
to make the sound brighter. I am referring to the reference you made that
European orchestras raise pitch for that reason. It is entirely possible
that a manufacturer here or anywhere might decide to raise the pitch of an
instrument and market it as a brighter sounding instrument. Whether or
not they do it because of what the European orchestras do is an entirely
different issue!

The third issue is the "trend" itself. That is......do Buffet, Leblanc,
and Selmer all sell instruments that are purposefully higher in pitch?
As someone who sells musical instruments, you probably have greater access
to marketing information than the rest of us do.........but this issue is
not really an issue for me. I simply wanted to explain a difference of
opinion regarding the statements you made about European orchestras.

Roger Garrett
IWU

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