In order for the ensemble to play in tune, there has to be at least some people within the ensemble that are capable of playing in tune. If there aren't, then there's no sense discussing further.
If there are people that can play in tune, they are aware of people nearby who have intonation problems. If they are in their own section, they should be able to address them directly. If the conductor has to do much more than call out a section for some dodgy intonation, he'll be wasting his time and that of the rest of the ensemble, as a rehearsal is not meant to be an ear training class. A surprising number of people in amateur groups are willing to listen to a credible party give them advice if done tactfully, and tact will be necessary since the advice will need to be repeated, unless there's some magic way of instantly curing someone's long-term intonation problems. Rome wasn't built in a day, after all. Fortunately, good intonation is contagious. Of course, there will still be some people who are immune to it. John Baumgart ----- Original Message ----- From: "Steven Mumford" <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Tuesday, April 26, 2011 1:13:16 PM Subject: Re: [Hornlist] Whose Responsibility? ....is it to make sure the ensemble plays in tune? Is it possible for an amateur band or orchestra to play beautifully in tune? [...] In pretty much every amateur ensemble, and even quite a few high paying gigs I've ever played in, there are quite a number of people who don't know how to play in tune. I'd say that makes it pretty much impossible for those who do know how, to successfully play in tune because there aren't enough others to play in tune with. _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
