Author: jhoyla
Date: 2015-02-04 11:09
I hugely enjoy playing in two amateur orchestras.
Yes, pitchiness is an issue. So are timing and synchronization, dynamics, attack, articulation, phrasing and a whole slew of other things.
We still make music and people come and enjoy our performances (though one snooty concertgoer told our conductor that we hardly compare with the Gwandhaus). In that orchestra we shore up with ringers for the concert. The best of these seasoned pros really enjoy playing with us - they say that we make up for everything with our enthusiasm.
IMHO it is a mistake to focus on (say) the intonation of one passage unless the lesson learned is more universal - better to point out the issue, say "please practice this section slowly with a tuner!", and move on. Amateurs (pay to) come to orchestra in order to make music, not to be lectured to, but we all enjoy it when a good conductor gives us new insight either about our individual playing or about the music itself.
@Rachel, some flautists SHOULD play with a tuner on the stand! Try to persuade a flute that he/she is playing a 3rd octave note about 50 cents sharp! To their ears they sound bright and beautiful. In tune with the tuner would be SERIOUS improvement and I tend to agree with JRC that for most instrumentalists it is a very good place to start from  The nuances described by JRC are completely smothered in any amateur orchestral setting.
I play with a tuner just beneath the music on my stand. I rarely look at it (I rely on my ears), but it is there if I need to confirm a note. I'm often wrong.
J.
|
|
The Oboe BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
