Klarinet Archive - Posting 000350.txt from 2005/04

From: X-MailScanner-tom.henson@-----.com
Subj: RE: [kl] Tuners
Date: Fri, 22 Apr 2005 17:02:59 -0400

Walter,

I had a similar experience the other day in band rehearsal. Only in this
case, I had one of my second clarinets ask me if they could borrow my hand
held tuner because "nobody ever tells me if I need to pull out or push in"
while the band is tuning.

I realized that without some kind of visual indication whether they were
sharp or flat, they really had no clue. This confirms to me that there are
some people out there who, without some kind of visual aid, will never be
able to figure out if they are sharp or flat. This person probably would not
have majored in music as they would not have gotten very far without the
ability to hear relative pitch, but in an amateur situation, they do exist.

I told this person that you have to be able to hear the pitch, whether you
are under the pitch or over it, and then make whatever adjustment is needed
simply by listening as they played. They evidently just can not do this. I
then explained that no matter how hard they tried to match the tuning pitch
with a hand held tuner, that it was pointless as the band will not stay at
this pitch and then what are they going to do.

That brings up another point, how do you explain to someone that can't hear
relative pitch what to listen for? I think something that might help train
the ear is to play a note on a piano (or other instrument), and then try and
match the note by signing it. I think if one experiments with the voice
trying to match the pitch (going up and down), they will be able to finally
hear the difference. I suppose there are always some people that are tone
deaf and will never be able to hear it no matter what, but I think the
ability to hear relative pitch can be learned to a degree with ear training.

I don't consider that I have perfect pitch myself, if you define perfect
pitch as being able to hear a note and immediately know what note it is and
if it is sharp or flat from A440. I'm not sure how useful this would be in
an ensemble anyway once you start playing. I can however hear a pitch and
then perfectly match it. I call this relative pitch instead of perfect
pitch. I can also play in tune with myself as I relate one pitch to another.

Given a person that has a lot of technical skill (fast fingers) vs. someone
that is able to match pitch well, I would much prefer to have someone sit
next to me that can match pitch. You can have the fastest fingers in the
world, but if you can't play in tune or blend well in an ensemble you are
not going to be worth much.

Tom Henson

<< Walter said :

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. >>

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