Klarinet Archive - Posting 000389.txt from 2006/08

From: "Steve" <tuneup@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Fwd: pitch centers
Date: Wed, 30 Aug 2006 05:24:47 -0400

I think it is not so much the ability to discern a certain amount of
"distance" as it is to discern pitch discrepancy in general and learn how to
adjust to match the context of the ensemble.

If one plays with the piano, one must not necessarily know the "distance" to
adjust to equal temperament, just be able to match the pitch of the piano.
In the ensemble, the constant fluctuation between players and sections
requires constant adjustment.

I have been terribly critical of clarinetists in general and the lack of
attention to pitch, only because I know it CAN be done beautifully. My
exposure to Mr. Combs has proved that. Yet, a very fine principal
clarinetist in my state insists that he/she plays in tune and that he/she
certainly doesn't need help in this area. Perhaps he/she should listen to
the orchestras' recordings...

I can't stand it when someone just sits back and criticizes with now effort
to help. I do not do that. I have developed a proven system to improve the
ear. The ball is in the individual players court.

Stephen Colley
Developer - Tuneup Systems
Tuneup Systems
PO Box 29574
Richmond, VA 23242
804-218-5625
-----Original Message-----
From: clarni bass [mailto:clarnibass@-----.com]
Sent: Wednesday, August 30, 2006 1:15 AM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: Re: [kl] Fwd: pitch centers

In a very extensive research they have done here at
the acoustics department (which I understand is one of
the three main acoustics research departments in the
world), they found a few facts. The test was done to a
large number of people, and the notes were played one
after the other, not at the same time.
The area where people can hear the most difference in
pitch is about 3,000hz. The difference is even as
small as 5 cents. From there up or down it gradually
decrease. For example, around piano middle C people
can hear only about 10 cents difference. The highest
and lowest notes obviously you need a much bigger
difference. The test also proved that it is almost
exactly the same for all people.

Even from the best players in the world I sometimes
hear out of tune notes. No one can play 100% perfect
all the time. The result she says of 2-10 cents for
the better players is very logical.

> Forwarded by Walter Grabner for Ann Satterfield:
>
> In a message dated 8/29/2006 7:33:46 A.M. Central
> Daylight Time,
> annhsatt@-----.com writes:
>
>> I have played in a wide variety of groups of
> different levels past several years, there has been
> a pretty consistant correlation level of playing
> skill and how sharp the group goes. The better
> players only live 2 to 10 cents above 440.

http://mail.yahoo.com

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org