Hello Rachel, this is really important, but more, it is important to know that playing in pitch is a "floating task". Why ? Our brass instruments, also the woodwinds are not tuned in a "metric" system but an "acoustical" system where the halfsteps are not equal. So we have to listen with whom we are playing along. We also have to know which note of a chord has to be played a bit stronger than the others to create a perfect tuned chord. This is not limited to the "leader" (player) of the chord. To balance a chord does not mean that all play with the same strength. As soon as the chord is balanced really - when all sounding notes are brought to the right relation - the chord will be in tune.
To achieve this, one has to tune the instrument carefully first, but have to listen to the other players carefully AND allways. And it is necessary, to re-adjust (fine adjust) the instrument during the piece, as many factors will influence tuning during a piece: embouchure will get better or worse thus lowering or rising the pitch individually. The instrument itself will get warmer or cooler (depending on the situation - many rests instead playing like the others or playing much more than the others), so needing adjustment. Etcetcetc - never ending task. ============================================================ ============================================ -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of [EMAIL PROTECTED] Sent: Sunday, May 21, 2006 3:25 AM To: horn@music.memphis.edu Subject: [Hornlist] Ear Training For Crying Out Loud! Hornfolks: As I stated to a lister (twice) offline, centuries of hornists have done the deed using their own precious ears. And they have done just fine. What I have a serious issue with are the 'tuning boxes'. They are not only NOT in tune with each OTHER; they are a crutch to the hearing musician who looks at the 'needle' and says, 'ok I'm in tune.' 'Who cares about anyone else in the group; I'm right and they are wrong...' *NOT* That person is in tune with THE BOX ONLY. They just don't get it, do they? _______________________________________________ post: horn@music.memphis.edu unsubscribe or set options at http://music2.memphis.edu/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
