Klarinet Archive - Posting 000244.txt from 2010/09

From: David McClune <dmcclune@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] tuning
Date: Thu, 09 Sep 2010 15:02:42 -0400

F is a great pitch for the horn players and a neutral note for most others. The tuning A or Bb are sharp notes for clarinet players (written B or C) so if a BD only tunes the band to that note, then all the clarinet players will be flat on the majority of other notes. Tuning is only relative.

With my BD hat on, I often tuned the band (college) on concert Bb then have the players play 1-2 other octaves of Bb, and 1-2-3 octaves of Eb's and F's and get their instrument generally in tune all over. It also helps to tune about 15 minutes into the rehearsal waiting until the instruments are warmed up. To break things up, I would often pick random pitches to tune to; drove them crazy!

Dave

Dr. David McClune
University Professor of Music
Union University-1862
1050 Union University Drive
Jackson, TN 38305

731-661-5294
dmcclune@-----.edu

www.mcclunemouthpiece.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Donna Higgins [mailto:donna@-----.com]
Sent: Thursday, September 09, 2010 1:54 PM
To: klarinet@-----.com
Subject: Re: [kl] tuning

Quoting "David McClune" <dmcclune@-----.edu>:

> Orchestras tune to A because the strings have too. Bands tune to Bb
> because...there is no great reason!

OK, so this reminds me of something I've been wondering about. I play
in two concert bands that regularly tune to a concert F. Sometimes
they also tune to a Bb in addition to the F but mostly it's an F
(given by the tuba).

Is there any advantage to F over Bb, or is it just the directors'
preference in each case?

Donna

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