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Tuning in Brass

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2004-12-15 18:31

From the Cornish Music list:

A TABLE OF CONVERSIONS FOR TUNING ADJUSTMENTS FOR BRASS INSTRUMENTS

METRIC
1 Gnats (Cock) = 0.5 millimetres (mm.)
1 Smidgeon (sm.) = 2 Gnats (gn.)
1 Tad (td.) = 5 Gnats
1 Little (ll.) = 2 Tads
1 Fair Amount (fa.) = 2 Littles
1 Lot (l.) = 2 Fair Amounts

IMPERIAL
1 Whisker (wh.) = 12 Hairsbreadths (hb.)
1 Bit (b.) = 2 Whiskers
2 Bits = 1 Inch (in.)
2 Inches = 1 Mile (m.)
3.5 Inches = 1 Too Much (tm.)

TROY
1 Whisker = 16 Hairsbreadths
1 Smidge (sg.) = 3 Whiskers
1 Enough (en.) = 7 Smidges
1 That Much (th.) = 3 Enoughs

QUALIFIERS
Just = +25%
Quite = +50%
Or so = +75%

NOTES
1. Take care to avoid confusion between the Imperial Whisker and the Whisker Troy.

2. Before commencing tuning, it is essential to ascertain the calibration of the relevant conductor. Within the EC most examples are calibrated to the metric system while American and Commonwealth systems are usually compatible with the Imperial system. It should be borne in mind however that the American system makes use of a Whisker that is equal to 16 hb. In consequence all American measures of a Whisker or greater are 33% larger than the equivalent Imperial measure. Troy measures are commonly found only where the conductor has been modified to take account of mean-tone temperament and the modal system. Particular care should be taken when using a conductor previously used for Jazz. These units will often be found to have been modified beyond recalibration to a limited range of "some more" and "some less." Occasionally this will be found compatible with the Imperial "Too Much," but these systems are at best unreliable and should be avoided.

3. It should be borne in mind that regional and cultural variation may occur. For instance in Continental Brass Bands use is frequently made of the Metric Bit (= 2 Smidgeons) while in Norway 1 mile = 10 Lots. This also applies to British Brass Bands sponsored by the building industry.

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