 The Oboe BBoard
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Author: mschmidt
Date: 2010-02-14 02:03
Most tuners are set up to "equal temperament." This is a mathematical compromise between "just intonation," which yields perfectly in tune chords in a particular key, and the musicians' need to play in tune in multiple keys. A "just intonation" major third is off by something like 17 cents from equal temperament. The reason I mention this is because, in trying to get every note "right on" with the tuner you are forcing yourself to play in equal temperament, while musicians in ensembles often play something closer to just intonation in whatever key they're playing. So yes, you do want to learn how to adjust your embouchure to alter pitch slightly, as this is what you'll be doing when playing by ear in an ensemble. But striving for perfect equal temperament will just make you sound like a modern piano.
My tuners, a Korg CA-30 and a Korg CA-1, both have little triangles indicating the maximum deviation of just intonation from equal temperament. As long as I'm within the space between the little triangles, I figure I'm doing ok, even if I'm not "right on."
One thing my teacher suggested was to put the tuner in the "audible" mode, set for the tonic of the key you're playing. It gives a monotonous drone that's no fun to listen to, but playing exercises and tuning to the tonic is a good way to train your ear/embouchure coordination. Not every note in a given exercise will make a consonant interval with the tonic, but many of the important ones will.
Hope this helps.
Mike
Still an Amateur, but not really middle-aged anymore
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Mightyg |
2010-02-13 21:19 |
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mschmidt |
2010-02-14 02:03 |
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jhoyla |
2010-02-14 06:17 |
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jhoyla |
2010-02-14 11:35 |
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Bobo |
2010-02-14 16:59 |
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Dutchy |
2010-02-15 13:56 |
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The Clarinet Pages
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