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Re: intonation query

Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2006-08-02 03:12

It seems to me that Ben and jez are talking about two different things, both of which are needed for playing with good intonation.

A tuner is helpful to establish the pitch tendencies of our instruments over the entire range of notes. This is the starting point, and jez is right to say that basic intonation should be tested playing loudly as well as softly. The tuner is based on Equal Temperament and our instruments are manufactured to approximate an Equal Tempered scale. Doing a chart of those tendencies is a good first step.

However, in the process of putting together a CD-based method for clarinet intonation, I found myself also delving into the realm of Just tuning. This is what jez was referencing, I think.

Here is a quote from my method's introductory notes: "Wind instruments are made to approximate Equal Temperament and it is the only reasonable standard for melodic playing. But it is not enough, the ear being the final authority. We need....Just intonation - This is what our ears hear to be correct beatless intervals when playing together with other players."

With Just intonation, as jez suggested, the top note of a major third needs to be played 14 cents lower than the Equal tempered note to be beatless and pure sounding. The same note as the top note of a minor third needs to be played 16 cents higher than the Equal tempered note to be pure sounding. Listening to the difference tones is very helpful in this process. I found that playing intervals of a third within a just tuned 5th was a great way to hear the difference tones clearly.

Clearly, the goal of anyone teaching good intonation, or setting up a method for that matter, is to train the ear to hear the difference between being in tune or out of tune. What you are looking for is flexibility. Playing in tune is both a science and an attitude. I like oboist Robert Sprenkle's suggestion that the individual's tuning responsibility in an ensemble is 1/2, not 1/50 or 1/75, etc.

johng

John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com

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