Klarinet Archive - Posting 000205.txt from 2005/10

From: Diane Karius <dikarius@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Upward Creeping pitch
Date: Sat, 22 Oct 2005 18:55:54 -0400

>
> A half hour into the rehearsal, I was branded as
> "flat" by the conductor. I
> knew, of course, that I was well over 440. It was
> an interesting experience,
> as the tuning note given was a perfect 440.

Although its depressing to hear how common this
experience is, it is also reassuring in a warped sort
of way. According to one of the local conductors, my
pitch is SO bad that I am out of tune when I'm NOT
playing...

I don't remember the piece, but we were rehearsing
when the conductor stopped the orchestra to demand
that I play 'my' concert F (first space) along with
the oboe. We play - and we were in tune (even the
conductor admitted to that one). He starts the
orchestra over at the previous rehearsal number and,
about 8 bars later, starts yelling that "this is the
place - we have to be in tune here". I just about
fell out of my chair laughing at that point - since I
was in the middle of 22 measures of rest.

Part of the problem in this group is that the first
clarinet player likes to be a tad bit sharp compared
to other wind players (including the oboe, who gives a
rock solid A440 as far as I can tell). I have to be
very careful about tuning just below him, otherwise we
end up in the "battle of raging sharpnesses". I lose
that battle everytime - he has one of those "Click"
barrels and can drive the pitch up ridiculously high.

Someday, something really bad is going to happen to
that stupid barrel... and we won't mention the
conductor at all (can you say "read the score"?).

Diane

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