Author: oboedrew
Date: 2011-09-27 20:44
This is a great discussion, but I think JRC's post is being misinterpreted. The way I read it, he was saying we have to learn to place notes instinctively, and that over-analyzing it can do as much harm as good. There's more than a grain of truth to that, and some fine musicians would have to dust off their textbooks to detail the differences between just intonation and equal temperament.
In theory, you could memorize how many cents sharp or flat every note of every chord ought to be, study the score to every piece you ever play, memorize which note of which chord you're playing every step of the way, and then stare at the tuner throughout rehearsal to make sure you're nailing every one of 'em. But nobody does that. And if anyone did, it would sound awful. After all, a precisely placed third doesn't work so well alongside someone else's slightly misplaced fifth. So we should understand the differences between just intonation and equal temperament, but we shouldn't be dogmatic about either. Ultimately, we have to use our ears.
I agree with Jonathan's observation that "tuning can and should be looked at as an additional emotive tool, not as something restrictive." But I'd like to add that in some contexts the most poignant placement of a note is slightly "wrong." Some of those play-along ear-training CDs are great practice tools, but we can learn as much (or more, perhaps?) by listening constantly to accomplished musicians, and even by playing along with their recordings. So break out your Holliger discs, BBoard!
Cheers,
Drew
www.oboedrew.com
Post Edited (2011-09-27 20:57)
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