Author: d-oboe
Date: 2005-11-24 12:19
Nothing is worse than the Tuner Mafia.
In fact, it's usually those players who are so addicted to tuners that play the most out of tune. But why?? They have never learned to use their ears and adjust!
The tuner, while being a useful convenience for the 1st oboe, and for fine tuning pitching on any instrument, can really be a hindrance to practice sessions if not used carefully. The danger lies in using the eyes to tune (i.e. playing just so the needle stays in tune) instead of using the ears to learn what it sounds like to be in tune.
Personally, I haven't used a tuner in my practice sessions for ages. I find an in-tune piano, or any keyboard (no organs tuned to 415 please!) and play long tones against a sustained piano note. (i.e.use the sostenuto pedal)
It's much more beneficial, I find, as it leaves no option but to tune to a given pitch. It is also immediately apparent how much more one has to listen in order to stay in tune. For example....sometimes when doing a long note, I will be able to play longer than the piano tone lasts. And very often I will be flat/sharp by the end! Have to listen more carefully, that's all!
Oh, and even if the piano is slightly off, it's ok, as there will no doubt be performances where the piano is off, or a choir sings flat. Learning to have flexible, but centered, pitch is the key.
D
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