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Re: using a tuner pick-up

Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2006-08-21 00:09

>>It seemed as they were more interested in finding the tuning balance on the machine than in the ensemble.<<

Well said, and an important point.

Those of you who were around here last winter probably remember hearing about my experience with an ensemble where all the woodwinds played with tuners (turned on) on their stands, the better to ingratiate themselves with a director who was more-than-mildly obsessed with tuning.

And if, perchance, one was perceived as being out of tune, the director's wife would come around and thrust HER tuner in the offender's face. Subtle hint, no?

I do think there is a point to tuning the ensemble to a standard pitch now and then, largely for the educational value of knowing where one's own pitch tendencies and perceptions lie. But a far more important exercise is the development of the ear and the sense of ensemble, which is something that no amount of staring down a tuner will create.

My current favorite director has us LISTEN consciously to each other on selected passages (most likely passages which he has identified as problematic). Just having such a passage called to the attention of the group and specifically rehearsed goes a long, long way toward improved intonation as well as awareness of balance and blend and musical line -- much more so than could be achieved by 40 people outfitted with pick-up tuners clipped to their bells paying attention only to their own sound.

Susan

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