Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2014-09-06 11:55
Karl,
I agree that G (concert F) is impractical for band tuning (and orchestra tuning) though not for the reason you suggest. When tuning band and orchestra, it's important to choose a note that works well for all the instruments in the ensemble. In orchestra where you are tuning strings, concert F is not practical (though one could give them a separate note if F was practical for all the non-string instruments). I have the impression though that Bb is a better note for brass instruments than F and that's why it's used for band.
I disagree with you about the quality of G on the clarinet. In my experience (and apparently the experience of many clarinetists far above my pay grade), properly vented G is a very stable note and a good note for intonation with the rest of the clarinet, Also it is close to the barrel. So, if you adjust your tuning by pulling out the barrel, you have a greater impact on the intonation of the G than the rest of the instrument, particularly the long notes clarion C and B. In other words, tuning to clarion C or B with the barrel may be overdoing things for the rest of the clarinet's notes.
This is why, when performing works for solo clarinet or with piano, many very good clarinetists prefer to tune throat G to the piano's corresponding concert F, adjusting the barrel and then clarion G to the piano's corresponding concert F, adjusting the lower joint. (Actually, I think you know this.) BTW, if you aren't already doing this, I think you would be doing your students a favor if you teach them this approach to tuning for recitals and competitions when they are playing with piano accompaniment.
The reason I asked the question is that I suspect Ricardo does not play G as "open G" except in fast passages. I expect he has a preferred fingering that he uses when intonation matters, including when he is playing with a piano. I'm curious to know what it is and I'd wager a tall frosty cold one that it isn't "open G."
But, beyond that, I notice that the band director David has identified has his beginning students using Hite Premier mouthpieces and Rovner ligatures, both of which I think are quite good ideas. I'm not so happy with his choice of reed but he seems to have reasons for what he does and I, for one, am curious to know what they are. In particular, in light of what Katrina wrote, I'm curious to know if teaching G with the right hand down from the start is a recent trend in pedagogy (rather than an individual aberration) and, if it is a recent development, what it's rationale might be.
Best regards,
jnk
Post Edited (2014-09-06 11:59)
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