Posted by Mark Wiseman on June 04, 2003 at 12:12:47:
In Reply to: Tuning to A440? posted by jlb on June 04, 2003 at 10:37:04:
Orchestras tune to A because all string instruments in the orchestra have an A string. Bands tune to Bb, because a lot of the traditional band instruments, tuba, trombone, euphonium, trumpet, clarinet, etc. are pitched in Bb. It is easier and works better if the whole ensemble tunes to the same note. Otherwise, either the entire ensemble would be playing all sorts of different notes trying to tune up or everying would be simultaneously blasting away at their individual tuners making it impossible for anyone to tune effectively.
If you have an Eb tuba, then you need to tune the instrument to itself first (slides for the individual valves) and then tune it to the Bb the band is using by adjusting the main tuning slide.
Mark "politely stops my warm-up so the basses can get their tuners to work" Wiseman