Klarinet Archive - Posting 000472.txt from 2002/05

From: "James Leonard Hobby" <jhobby@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Perfect pitch (was Metal clarinets)
Date: Sat, 18 May 2002 12:05:28 -0400

I don't have perfect pitch, but went to school with a girl who did. She had
problems in woodwind class with any of the transposing instruments.

My understanding is that a person with true perfect pitch would, on the
clarinet, see a D on the printed page; would finger and play a D on their
clarinet, but they would "hear" a C, since the clarinet is a Bb transposing
instrument. It apparently becomes more than just the problem of hearing
something out of tune, but until (or unless) the individual can develop the
mind to essentially ignore the difference in what they see/hear.

Jim Hobby

PS: I think curiosity only kills cats.

>From: "Kimber" <wolfcry01@-----.com>
>
>Thanks Bill. Seriously. I knew some of that already, but you have clarified
>it a bit more. Since you seem so well informed, would you mind explaining
>why having a voice with perfect pitch is supposed to interfere with my
>playing?I participate in both band and choir, and, as I am sure you
guessed,
>I have perfect pitch. The pro who told me this said that it would probably
>interfere with my clarinet playing, but in my mind I would think that it
>would enhance it, because you would know for sure if you played the wrong
>note or you weren't in tune. Please, explain it, and if not you, then
>someone else. I need to know! I will die of curiosity otherwise.

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