Klarinet Archive - Posting 000558.txt from 2002/03

From: Tony@-----.uk (Tony Pay)
Subj: Re: [kl] R-13 and intonation. . .good grief
Date: Wed, 20 Mar 2002 17:37:38 -0500

On Wed, 20 Mar 2002 08:41:19 -0800 (PST), leupold_1@-----.com said:

> --- Roger Shilcock
> <roger.shilcock@-----.uk> wrote:
>
> > I think he's pointing out that getting any particular note in tune
> > as a tuning exercise is no guarantee of getting that or any other
> > note in tune *while playing*. Roger S.
>
> He's pointing out something more substantial than even that, I think.
> The context of playing with others involves by necessity a continuous
> guaging of (among a zillion other elements of collaboration) one's
> intonation relative to the other player(s). Flexibility of technique
> in manipulating the quality of one's tone and the intonation of their
> instrument at any given moment becomes a prerequisite to performing at
> a polished/professional level, because pitch quirks of individual
> instruments, combined with pitch quirks unique to various combinations
> of instruments, are such dynamic issues. You could play an instrument
> that is effortlessly in tune with itself, centering the needle on
> every single note, yet find yourself figuratively bending over
> backwards with air and embouchure adjustments in order to match tone
> and intonation characteristics with another player.

And more substantial even than that. Thirds and sevenths in wind
chords, for example, need to be significantly flatter than equal
temperament (or, 'the meter') to be correct, even if all the other
players are playing 'in tune'.

Pianos and organs are both significantly 'out of tune' in that respect.
But we've got used to them.

Try listening to a simple chord on an organ, sometime. Then imagine it
to be being played by your favourite wind section.

Then wince.

Tony
--
_________ Tony Pay
|ony:-) 79 Southmoor Rd Tony@-----.uk
| |ay Oxford OX2 6RE http://classicalplus.gmn.com/artists
tel/fax 01865 553339

... I'm not crazy, I've just been in a very bad mood for 30 years.

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