Klarinet Archive - Posting 000956.txt from 2000/10

From: Labadorf@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Re:tuner suggestions
Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 18:32:17 -0400

Roger,

Devil's advocacy is the right analogy here for three reasons:

1) Checking tendancies with a non-pitch emitting tuner teaches the student
that, say, the low 'b' will probably be sharp and therefore must prepare by
playing it lower. Chances are pretty good that s/he'll be correct, but won't
be sure unless they can hear it that way.

2) Checking for certain pitches of a chord against a tuner will only show
you the _wrong_ pitch. If you play a major third in equal temperament (tuner
perfect) you will be playing it too sharp! Woodwind players and other
servicable pitched instruments tune to just temperament - not equal
temperament.

3) Most musicians I deal with absolutely hate to have a tuner shoved in
their face. It's best to suggest that they may need to check their
tendancies with a tuner during their practice time. I certainly don't want
to get a loud trumpet player angry at me during a rehearsal!

So, If you're talking about "the lesser of two evils," tuner or no tuner,
well, I don't know the answer to that.

Tom
Labadorf@-----.com
Clarinetist, Coast Guard Band
Adjunct instructor
Central Conn State University
Connecticut College

http://pages.cthome.net/labadorf

In a message dated 10/17/00 4:15:00 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
klarinet-digest-help@-----.org writes:

<< Date: Tue, 17 Oct 2000 06:34:57 -0500
To: klarinet@-----.org
From: rgarrett@-----.edu
Subject: Re: [kl] Re:tuner suggestions
Message-Id: <3.0.6.32.20001017063457.00efb2b0@-----.edu>

At 07:07 PM 10/16/2000 EDT, you wrote:
>Stefano,
>
>You can't go wrong with the advice from Neil and Patricia, but I would
>definately stay away from the tuners that do not give a pitch! The most
>useful tuner is one that gives a pitch which can be calibrated at least 30
>cents low, has an analogue (not digital) meter and volume control.

Tom,

I like your advice about not buying one without a sounding pitch.......but
to play devil's advocate here:

In my band, I really like to stress to students that they own a tuner to
check tendencies. Back in the days when tuners ran $175 or higher, the new
KORG C-20 is great - and for less than $20 with shipping. An automatic
tuner is wonderful for keeping on the stand and checking pitches as you go
- especially tendencies. I own one myself - and so do other members of the
woodwind section in the Peoria Symphony. We keep them on our stands to see
the tendency of someone else's checked pitch when the conductor starts
going funny about chords and who is "right" or "wrong". Kind of a
self-protection (sure, I can play sharp - no problem!).

So, I am really happy if the students buy one without the sounding pitch
rather than none at all.

Sincerely,
Roger Garrett
>>

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org