Klarinet Archive - Posting 000347.txt from 2005/04

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Tuners
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2005 15:01:38 -0400

In a message dated 4/22/2005 4:47:42 AM Central Daylight Time,
andreaduval@-----.com writes:
<<Yes and no. I really do see people in a couple of the
bands I play with use a tuner on their stands during
the whole rehearsal...but no, I did not figure that
you used a tuner during rehearsal (in that manner
anyhow).>>

I have come to the conclusion that having a tuner on the stand is a bad idea.

I do find it handy to have one available, to discreetly check a note of my
own from time to time.

However, the tuner will have no relevance to the actual pitch level being
produced around you by members of the ensemble. It matters NOT that you can
"stop the needle" on a given note. What is important is that you can match pitch
with that which is going on before you play or while you play.

Depending on temperature and humidity, the pitch level of a band or
orchestra will rise or (seldom) fall. Blind adherence to a tuner will perhaps, tell
you how far the group has drifted from whatever arbitrary standard, but will
not help you play "in tune."

I am also HEARTILY SICK, of those people sitting in a rehearsal, listening
to another person play, watching the "needle," and shaking their head in a
wildly disapproving way when red lights flash in one direction or another. (Less
I come off as a hypocrite, I do have to confess to having indulged in that
behavior previously.)

Now please don't get me wrong. I think these small tuners are a Godsend. I
wish they would have been available when I was much younger. They are a great
tool for working with your own instrument and observing its tendencies. I use
one every day. I mean that - every single day ~

However, I do not believe they can tell you the "correct" pitch to play in a
rehearsal or performance. I can think of a half dozen times in the past two
weeks, where I have had to raise in pitch a note which I know is normally
sharp on my instrument, in order to "tune" to a piccolo, trumpet, or violin with
whom I was playing in unison.

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetXpress.com
World-class clarinet mouthpieces

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