The beginnings of this post started a few weeks ago when I noticed our very accomplished principal of a large ensemble tuning to the oboe's Concert A by playing E of the F side with open valves. I understand the E of the F horn side with open valves is about 20 cents flat, and that is a lot! Our principal plays well in tune, so I don't understand his overall tuning strategy. I guess if you know your horn really well, you can lip up this pitch while tuning, know exactly how much to lip up to bring the rest of the horn in tune. I tune E using valve 2 on the Bb side. One could also use 1 and 2 of the F side. Any other thoughts out there on this?
Another thing that happens in orchestra, are the musicians entering, perhaps after an intermission. then everyone tunes to the Concert A with cold horns. If I tune my horn while cold, I'm pulling the main tuning slide a bit after 30 seconds of playing, and even more after another 30 seconds, and that is what I usually do. Another fun tuning challenge is playing with a small church orchestra, where the choir is tuned to the piano and the some of the orchestra takes off and goes sharp. Then, you as horn, get to decide how to adjust your pitch-- I adjust according to who I am playing with-- I play sharp with the whoever is playing sharp if they are carrying the dominant parts, then when I am playing alone with the choir or piano, I go with them Sounds better doing this that insisting on being "right". Another little devilish secret, years ago when I was the only horn in a loud concert band, to cut through, to be heard, I played a bit sharp. Am I doing all this right? (Except for the last item, that I don't do anymore). Regards, Larry _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
