Klarinet Archive - Posting 000171.txt from 2005/10

From: "Steve" <steve@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Re: Upward Creeping Pitch
Date: Wed, 19 Oct 2005 14:53:42 -0400

Terry et al,

Major Orchestras using A442:

I think it's up to the orchestras themselves to "fess up" on this one! But,
I'll tell you this; principal players in one of the Big Five have asked for
the A442 version, an extremely popular pops orchestra tunes so sharp that
the hornplayers have had to have alterations made to their instruments. The
list goes on.

Do you by any chance play a lot of studio in LA? That could be why you're
enjoying solid pitch base of A440. The Phil tends to play above A443 most of
the time, it seems.

Steve

Stephen Colley
www.tuneupsystems.com
804-852-8219

-----Original Message-----
From: Terry Halvorson [mailto:oboeterry@-----.fm]
Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 2:46 PM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: [kl] Re: Upward Creeping Pitch

Walter wrote:
>
>I'm thinking back on what I wrote. Of course, oboists have tremendous
>variability as they can make reeds that can play sharper or flatter as the

>situation dictates.
>
>Isn't it true however, that if you show up with all your reeds, for
example,
>made to play at 440, and the group is playing at 444, you will have big
>problems? As I understand it, the "push-in, pull-out" thing can only be
done to a
>very slight degree.
>
This is a rather extreme situation, IMO... 444? Are you really serious?
I'd find somewhere else to play... As to the push in/pull out, you're
right there, as that is simply not how an oboe is tuned. We adjust with
embouchure and by playing different reeds.

>Is it possible to show up with several well playing reeds, one at 440, one

>at 442, and a third at 444?
>
Maybe not quite this large of a difference, but I (and most other oboists
whom I know) generally try to keep most of my good reeds about 440-441, but
with 1 or 2 each that play well a little low or a little high.

>As to discouraging "pitch creep" I am well known as the guy who keeps
>calling for another "A," just to keep that very situation from happening.
>
Good for you... although it would be nice if _everyone_ were keeping there
ears open and not allowing it, at least _you_ are trying to keep them
honest!

Then "Steve" wrote:

>The subject of higher pitch is an interesting problem for Tuneup. When I
deal with major orchestras, they all want the A442 version of Tuneup, yet
>readily admit that A442 is a "starting" point!

I am curious as to which "major orchestras" in the US are _starting_ at
442. And also, if they are already starting so high, why (how?) would they
allow the pitch to creep even more? I'd like to let it creep down :-)
This is fun!

Terry Halvorson
Los Angeles

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