Klarinet Archive - Posting 000551.txt from 2002/03

From: "John P. Varineau" <jvarineau@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] R-13 and intonation...good grief
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 17:37:31 -0500

Here is an interesting way to show that even when you have tuned your
clarinet so that it is "dead on" with the tuning meter, you may not be in
tune.

This is easiest to hear and adjust when you play a high C (concert
B-flat) on your clarinet.

Using a tuner which can also produce a tone, tune your "concert B-flat"
so that it is precisely in tune. Now have the tuner produce a tone a
major 3rd lower than that pitch which you are playing. You will need to
LOWER your pitch in order to make that major third sound perfectly in
tune. In other words, Major thirds are narrower than equal tempered
major thirds. (By listening to the combination tones you'll be able to
hear when this interval is in tune)

Now have the tuner produce a tone that is a Minor third lower than your
pitch. You will have to RAISE your pitch in order to make that minor
third sound in tune. In other words, Minor thirds are wider than equal
tempered thirds.

In both cases the pitches you have to produce in order to sound in tune
will be rather dramatically out of tune with your original tuning pitch!

There is succinct discussion of the use of combination tones in tuning in
John Krell's book "Kincaidiana." It even includes a "Trio for Two
Flutes" which is a fun little exercise demonstrating the above
principles.

John Varineau
Associate Conductor, Grand Rapids Symphony
Conductor, Grand Rapids Youth Symphony

GET INTERNET ACCESS FROM JUNO!
Juno offers FREE or PREMIUM Internet access for less!
Join Juno today! For your FREE software, visit:
http://dl.www.juno.com/get/web/.

---------------------------------------------------------------------
It's Sneezy.Org Pledge time. Please visit
http://www.sneezy.org/Pledge.html

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org