Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2010-08-02 22:04
I am the oboist who gives the pitch in most of the ensembles with which I play. I am more comfortable if I have my tuner in front of me, for a variety of reasons.
First of all, in my experience, there is no such thing as a perfectly-tuned reed. There are reeds which one can play well and in tune, but playing in tune is as much a function of the player as it is the reed. The idea that anyone could just plug the reed in and naturally blow a perfect A 440 is a misconception.
When I am warmed up, I can virtually always give you a good A with confidence and without reference to a tuner. But most often when I am asked to give a pitch, I have just arrived at the rehearsal or gig just like everybody else. By the time I get my gear set up (often setting up two instruments) and the oboe warmed up under my armpit, the director is staring at me, asking for the tuning note, before I've had a chance to settle in or even blow a note. Using the tuner is almost mandatory in that situation.
Is the room warm or is it frigid? Am I anxious or am I relaxed? Is the reed well-broken-in or is it brand new? All these things are also variables that influence the exactness of the first pitch I blow.
In my favorite ensemble, btw, we tune to the low brass, and three pitches are given: a concert Bb, a concert A, and a concert F. That makes sense to me. I don't know why ensembles tune to the oboe, except that it is a tradition to do so.
Susan
|
|
The Clarinet BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
