Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: conductor foibles - tuning


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Posted by Mark on August 30, 2002 at 12:35:51:

In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: conductor foibles - tuning posted by GC on August 30, 2002 at 11:09:08:

For that matter, in the wrong hands, Tuners can be harmful!

A-440 is a standard which assumes normal temperatures and humidity (I think 72 farenheit and 50% RH). As the speed of sound changes with temperature and humidity (faster for increases in either or both factors), the "best" pitch center for a wind instrument will go up or down.

I've seen conductors insist on A-440 in hot outdoor concerts or under scorching stage lights. The result is that many wind players slides/barrels/headjoints are way far out, causing potential pitch errors on anything other than the tuning note. Even "open" notes can get screwed-up this way. If you're playing a 442 horn (some European and Yamamha horns), you may be in real trouble at that point.

In theory, if everyone leaves their slide/barrel/headjoint pretty close to the same place it was when that group last rehearsed successfully, things should start off in the ball park to where the pitch center SHOULD be in a given environment. If we all arrive at A-4XX comfortably, so be it.

How about we design a tuner that had built-in climate sensing, and suggests the pitch center accordingly!?

Mark Mazak


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