Klarinet Archive - Posting 000743.txt from 1999/03

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Intonation questions
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 1999 14:18:39 -0500

I could be wrong, but somewhere in the back recesses of my mind, I recall that the
tradition of having the oboe sound the tune-up note was because the oboe was most
often the squirrelly one and was often the most unpredictable member of the
orchestra. It was simply easier to go with the flow than to be at odds with it or
them.

I do believe the situation has stabilized since that time.

I''m sure you give an acceptable pitch to the band. The reality is that the
brassholes will probably do the same as they do in most bands---play where they
damn well please and jack their pitch two to four cents above yours, REGARDLESS of
where you sound it.

Tim Roberts wrote:

> 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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