Klarinet Archive - Posting 000673.txt from 1999/03

From: Bill Baker <bill_chris@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Intonation questions
Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999 21:20:53 -0500

I agree that it is possible to be too dependant on tuners. They are good
for reference to a certain point, but if you depend too much on them, you
don't learn how to listen effectively.

Chris

At 22:13 3/10/99 , you wrote:
>OK,
>
>I know that I'm going to get alot of heat for this but...
>
>It is my firm opinion that once you've gotten an idea of your
>instruments tendencies, via your tuner's indicator, you should never use
>that feature again. Over the last 25 years I have seen a decline pitch
>accuracy amongst PROFESSIONALS that directly follows tuner use.
>
>To be blunt, if you're using the needle you aren't using your ears.
>Plain and simple. I can count on one hand the number of wind players I
>know who can function without the "electronic ear". It has become so
>pervasive that people don't check pitch with each other any more.
>Whenever I voice a pitch concern to my fellow players, out come the
>machines. That's not a good sign. We don't play with the tuners
>sitting on our stands always on. At least not yet.
>
>I don't mean this to be tacky in any way, but this is a problem mainly
>for professionals. If you don't play regularly, or don't play in a
>group that has a stable pitch center, then tuning without mechanical
>assistance can be difficult. But it's not impossible. With a little
>practice the human ear, in most cases, can easily hear differences of 2
>vibrations per second. Acuity of 1 and 0.5 vibrations per second are
>not uncommon.
>
>I don't discourage my students from owning tuners, but I teach them how
>to use one properly and monitor the way they use them. Once we
>determine the instrument's pitch tendencies, and identify (and correct
>if possible) any bad notes, we stop using the needle. Usually 2
>lessons, 3 tops. Then we have the tuner play pitches and we play scales
>to them, both directions, learning the sound of the intervals as they go
>in and out of tune. Then, I get nasty and slightly mis-adjust the
>tuner. He-He.
>
>I didn't mean to get off on a diatribe, but reading all these posts
>about how many cents here, and how many cents there and what the
>tempering is....That's all useless in real life. All of that analytical
>stuff goes right out of the window when you get a harp in the pit, or
>the soloist tunes high for better projection, or the gorilla stagehand
>slams the Steinway into a wall, or (gulp) you're accompanying a guitar
>concerto. You have to play in tune and that's all there is to it. And
>for that you need trained ears, not trained eyes.
>
>Soapboxfully yours,
>-Phil
>
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--
Bill Baker
AIM screen name: flebak
ICQ #: 8838237

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