 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Josh
Date: 2002-09-17 04:25
I have a Korg CA-20 Tuner (maybe extra information) and there's an option that says "calibrate." What does this mean, and what do I set it at? The options are somewhere between 430-450 Hz. I play a Bb Clarinet.
Thanks, Josh
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Author: James
Date: 2002-09-17 04:45
Eek.. I bet you might get a billion reply to this one becuase everyone has their own opinion. Generally, Keep it at A=440. That's where most bands and some orchestra's play at.
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Author: Jim S.
Date: 2002-09-17 06:07
But the instrument wants to play 1.6 cents higher per degree F. above 70 degrees. So you may want to calibrate the Korg to a higher pitch if you are in a hot room.
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Author: ken
Date: 2002-09-17 13:43
A tuner should only be used as a pitch "reference" never as an "absolute". Tuning is relative and subject to a 1,000,001 musical factors, playing conditions and environments. Calibrate the tuner only once, and YOU be the one to make any necessary adjustments when having to give the note (either individually or a group). Also, make sure you are fully warmed up. If in a hot room, tune 2-3 cents flat to help keep the pitch down (temporarily). If cold, give the note sharp about the same. Then put the beast away and use your EARS. If absolutely necessary during a performance and when "practical and/or possible" it's perfectly acceptable to re-tune the group between pieces (maybe after the 1st/2nd piece when there's some semblance of a pitch center).
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2002-09-17 13:57
I set mine to 440 and warm up. Then when the group finishes arriving and someone gives a tuning note I listen to it. If it is not 440 I recalibrate to the note given and then retune to that note. I leave the thing on the stand as a reference listening throughout the gig or rehersal, if the pitch creeps up or down I adjust to it an mentally remember where tuner wants to be when in turn with the group.
It makes no sense to set the machine at the "perfect pitch" and then insist on playing "in tune" with it. You're making music and you need to blend with the group.
Now if I am giving the pitch that is another matter, I peg it at 440 and keep the machine there. Still you have to listen if you are in a group which cannot keep the pitch where it starts out. It's not a perfect world so the tuner is just a crutch which gets you close anyway.
IMHO Terry Horlick
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Author: William
Date: 2002-09-17 15:10
I have always thought that it was better to play in tune than be in tune. Ensemble pitch will vary (no one is always perfectly "right on") and it is often more important listen and adjust than it is to stay put because, you tuned initially to your meter set at 440. For example, I am told that the Chicago Symphony Orchestra plays at 442, so if you sit in with that group and tune to your 440, you will be hopelessly flat, drive everyone around you crazy (particularly Mr Combs) and never be asked to come back.
As for "calibration"--that action simply puts your tuning meter at A=440 and that is a good pitch standard to strive for in learning your instrument.
Bottom Line: Tuning meters are good for learning the particular pitch variances of your instrument, but for playing in a group, you must learn to cooperate with the other musicians. Tuning??? Play it by ear, Man!!!!
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Author: R Ameau
Date: 2002-09-17 16:48
That's great that your tuner can calibrate like that. Pity it doesn't go lower than 430 though. Playing Baroque music (depending on from which area in Europe) you should ideally play at 415-420. For later 18th century music you'll be tuning around 430. 19th century music was played from 430-440. For 20th century you can go from 440 up to 446 for certain German music. Have fun playing at all these different pitches!
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2002-09-18 02:59
Most orchestras in this country try to tune to A440. Here in the Baltimore Symphony our Oboe player uses his tuner to make sure he is accurate when he gives his A. That has become common prastise in many orchestr's to avoid disagreements on the accurcy of their A. It's true that some orchestr's tune a bit sharp to get a "brighter" sound. The idea of practising with a tuner is to be able to play at one pitch and be able to adjust when your horn gets warm and sharp. Of course if you're going up with the heat so are the other winds. It may be that Chicago plays at A 442, I'm not sure. Most of us tune to A 400 in the USA. Some countrys like Germany tune to 444. The idea is first to be able to play in tune with yourself then to listen and be able to adjust. Just one of a million opionions. Bye! Ed Palanker, BSO
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Author: R Ameau
Date: 2002-09-20 07:33
"Most orchestras in this country try to tune to A440"
When I wrote about playing Baroque music, and from which area in Europe, I was talking about where the composer came from, not where we come from. It is a historical fact that music in different places and at different times was played at different pitches. If you just tune at A-440 all the time you will be, in many cases, playing in the wrong key!
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2008-10-06 16:26
R Ameau,
I'm sure Ed's post was referring to typical American orchestras performing on modern instruments, not a period instrument performance. Baroque or Renaissance music performed on period instruments following historical performance practice would indeed tune at lower pitch. But otherwise, the standard symphony orchestras and concert bands in America tune to A 440, some at A 442. Maybe there are also some pieces that suggest tuning higher than 442, as you suggest, I don't know. It is interesting that in Renaissance and Baroque times, "standard pitch" was whatever the local church organ was tuned at, and it varied quite a bit in different towns.
So, the answer for Josh is...generally you should keep your tuner calibrated at A440 if you live in the US, unless you are called upon to do otherwise. And, of course, do use your ears when playing with an ensemble to tune to the majority (if there is one!)
Lori
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-10-06 17:45
In Detroit, the Symphony's standard pitch is an A= 441 as is specified in their master contract. I verified this in a recent interview with the Concertmaster of the DSO, which aired a couple of weeks ago on WRCJ FM.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: mrn
Date: 2008-10-06 18:49
The Houston Symphony plays A=442.
I have heard that, like Detroit, this is something spelled out in their employment contract, which I think is kind of an interesting thing in and of itself. Makes you wonder if somewhere along the line there was some renegade oboe player who tuned the orchestra to A=440 before playing some piano concerto (where the piano would be tuned to A=442), or something like that. Seems like there ought to be a good story behind these contract provisions.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-10-06 22:54
I am sure that'sthe issue. Certain instruments are very dependent on pre-tuning, such as pianos, and if the orchestra tunes lower or higher, everything sounds bad.
Additionally, oboe players will "customize" their reeds to specific tuning points, or so I have heard. Sine the Concertmaster takes her cue from the pitch of the oboe, it becomes critical that the oboe is spot-on pitch.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-10-07 03:59
i tune our symphony to 440 .
however, last year, before mrn joined , we had one guitar concerto, where the soloist specified 442. no clarinet parts on that piece, so i had the pleasure of listening for a change.
so one needs to be flexible.
i use a 65 mm barrel, usually pulled out , so i can go up to 442 if needed. others keep multiple barrels about. you don't want to know how many are rattling around in my 'stuff' drawer...
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: nes
Date: 2008-10-08 08:36
Where I come from the general tuning pitch is A=440. But after having a discussion with a friend who plays with professional orchestras, I have the belief that:
Most orchestras around the world tune to A=442. Some A=444 and some A=440.
Post Edited (2008-10-08 08:37)
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2008-10-09 02:36
Claritoot26 wrote: >It is interesting that in Renaissance and Baroque times, "standard pitch" was whatever the local church organ was tuned at, and it varied quite a bit in different towns.<
Even today at our Catholic Cathedral wind players have the challenge of playing with an organ that plays about A=435 warmed up and way higher than that cold. My flute player friend and several local trumpet players do an amazing job of adapting. So, yes, the calibration feature is really nice to have.
Another thing, Josh, is that although tuning is not an absolute in an ensemble, the tuner can be invaluable during practice time to get to know the intonation tendencies of your instrument. Then when you are in a group you are aware of how your intonation might mesh (or not) with the other instruments. My A clarinet is a Selmer made about 80 years ago. It is crucial for me to know its tuning since the bore design is quite different from the bore design of my other clarinets.
Have fun with your toy (the tuner)
Barb
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