Orchestra tuning


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Posted by Keith C. on November 15, 2002 at 10:42:47:

As a recreational tubist, I belong to two community orchestras and a band. I play a 4v rotary BBb horn. When the band tries to tune, the brass is given a Bb to work with (usually with mixed success).

The smaller of the two community orchestras uses a Bb for the brass, but in the larger orchestra the Concert Master (first chair violin) uses an A for the brass and woodwinds. Of course the Bb works fine for me, but I always find the A as a tuning note next to useless. Most of the brass in the larger orchestra attempts to get in tune to an A but there is a lot of grumbling from the back row about doing it this way.

So, trivial question on a dull Friday morning - what is the preferred method of tuning brass in an orchestra?



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