Klarinet Archive - Posting 000604.txt from 2002/03

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: RE: [kl] R-13 and intonation. . .good grief
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 2002 11:06:26 -0500

Fred -

Here's the source of your confusion. There is no "assigned" correct pitch for every note.

Pianos, and other fixed pitch instruments are tuned to even-temperament. What that means, is that the instrument is tuned slightly out of tune. The "out-of-tune-ness" is spread out equally so that it is possible to play in all keys. Before this form of tuning, it was impossible to comfortably listen to a piece in more than 3 sharps or flats. Why? The perfect intervals were tuned so that the most common keys were in tune. As a result, the more remote keys became progressively unbearable.

This was changed in Bach's time. Witness the "well Tempered Klavier".

Strings, brass, woodwinds tune to just intonation, which means we "bend" notes depending on the key we are playing in. For example, an E in C major will be lower than an E in F major. Why? The ear WANTS it, and we can do it. SO we do.

We accept the out of tune intervals on the piano, because we are used to it. But try playing with a pianist, and then a string quartet. You will find yourself in two different worlds.

Tuners are useful to tell you the tendencies of your instrument. It is wonderful to be able to "stop thee needle" on each pitch. If you only played with the piano, and the piano matched your pitch level, that would be great.

But it's only a start down the road to good intonation. The final assessment: a musician needs to listen carefully and without prejudice regarding the pitch of every note he/she plays, and be willing and able to adjust to make the music sound as "in-tune" as it can.

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetXpress.com

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