Klarinet Archive - Posting 000303.txt from 2001/03

From: Grant Green <gdgreen@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] piano frequencies
Date: Mon, 12 Mar 2001 14:18:09 -0500

>I was reading the first site posted for this topic
>(http://sciboard.louisville.edu/news/past/gensci/g-music.htm), and I
>have a few questions. So, if anyone could help me out, I would be
>very appreciative:). This page really intrigued me, but after
>reading it, I still don't understand why two instruments in
>different keys CAN'T match each other, tuning wise. I can see how
>it isn't set up to be easy, but who ever said tuning was easy?:).
>This just piqued my curiousity, and, since we play instruments in a
>different key than concert pitch, I figure it relates to this
>list:). Any response would be appreciated.
>
>-Michael L.

I *think* what they're thinking is that if you are playing
instruments in different keys, you will tend to adjust the notes
differently, e.g., if you're playing an F# (A concert) on Eb
clarinet, you might tend to lip the note sharp, while playing the
same note on an A clarinet (written C) you wouldn't.

However, I don't think this is really the cause of intonation
problems. Woodwinds are nominally constructed to play in equal
temperament, regardless of key. If you play F# on an Eb clarinet,
and C on an A clarinet, you should be perfectly in tune.

In ensembles where the players actually *listen* and adjust their
tuning, the tuning is done in relation to the intervals that the
musician hears. Equal temperament pitches differ from perfect
(beat-free) harmony for most intervals. If clarinet II is playing A
(440 Hz) and you play E at the equal temperament pitch (659.26 Hz),
it will not sound perfectly in tune: you will naturally tend to lip
your pitch up to 660 Hz, which will give you a perfect fifth (a ratio
of 3:2) (assuming that clarinet II doesn't lip down first). On the
other hand, if clarinet II is playing B (493.88 Hz) you'll tend to
lip your E down to 658.5 Hz for the perfect fourth (4:3 ratio), and
if clarinet II plays C (523.25 Hz), you'll tend to lip your E down to
654.1 Hz to make a perfect major third (5:4 ratio). On the other
hand, if you're playing in F major, the E would probably be lipped up
somewhat as the leading tone (if it resolves into F). The adjustment
occurs regardless of the key of the instrument you're playing:
ultimately, you put the notes in tune by ear, and you recognize that
any given note could serve as any part of the chord.

Grant

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green gdgreen@-----.com
ecode:contrabass http://www.contrabass.com
Professional Fool -> http://www.mp3.com/ProFools
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

---------------------------------------------------------------------
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