Klarinet Archive - Posting 000740.txt from 1999/03

From: "Tim Roberts" <timr@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Intonation questions
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 13:37:28 -0500

On Fri, 12 Mar 1999 10:10:04 -0500, Frederick S. Sterns wrote:
>
>Given the inherent flaws in a clarinet, or bass clarinet's scale, I don't
>understand why even experienced musicians spend minutes in front of an
>expensive tuner trying to get a "perfect" concert A or Bb. I suppose this
>would be useful if the part contained *only* A's or Bb's [:-)] but not
>otherwise.

Right. I'm currently having a battle of wills with the director of our
community band. Since our oboe player is a bit inexperienced, I normally end
up as the tuning standard for the group. As more and more people get
electronic tuners, people will occasionally call out "he's flat" when I give
the tuning note.

My argument to this is: so what? If I am the standard, then the band should be
adjusting to my note, wherever it happens to be. If I happen to be playing to
A438 today, then the entire group should adjust itself to A438.

In reality, this attitude is way too arrogant to be practical, but I am afraid
the band is getting a false sense of security out of its electronic tuners.

--
- Tim Roberts, timr@-----.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.

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