Klarinet Archive - Posting 000163.txt from 2005/10

From: Terry Halvorson <oboeterry@-----.fm>
Subj: [kl] Re: Upward Creeping Pitch
Date: Tue, 18 Oct 2005 19:24:28 -0400

Walter (the mouthpiece guy) said:

One of the reasons that the oboe
was selected to be the "keeper" of the tuning "A" is that oboes are among
the
least flexible instruments, pitch-wise, in the entire orchestra.

As an oboist, I would have to disagree with this statement. Oboists
can easily play a quarter step above or below most pitches, and also can
make different pitched reeds for different ocassions... the same way a
clarinetist should have barrels ranging from 63-67. I don't think that
either of these options (different pitched reeds or barrel lengths) are the
ideal solutions, but it is what it is...
I also believe that the main reason for the oboist to be "the keeper
of the A" is the same reason that they are considered to be the
"concertmaster" of the wind section (more or less, depending on who you
talk to) which is primarily based on the fact that the oboe's tone is a
more cutting (thusly more dominating) one in the wind texture.
As for the pitch moving upward... some of the very best players
(whether pit or pick up orchestras) that I've played with, are adament in
not allowing this to occur; and OMG, does it feel great! The pitch will
only rise if you allow it to.

Terry Halvorson
Los Angeles freelance ww doubler

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