On May 11, 2011, at 10:00 AM, [email protected] wrote: > Message: 1 > Date: Mon, 9 May 2011 11:36:36 -0700 (PDT) > From: Steven Mumford <[email protected]> > Subject: Re: [Hornlist] middle g on the Bb horn > To: [email protected] > Message-ID: <[email protected]> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1 > > > > My theory is that good intonation happens before you play the note.? > You > know the piece, you know what note is coming next, you know how it's > going > to fit in the chord and you hear the general pitch happening around > you.? > You play that next note straight ahead where you hear it should be > and most > of the time it's going to be good, if your sense of harmony is > good.? You > can do a little reacting and fudging if you have to, but for the > most part > if you're only reacting, waiting for somebody else to set the pitch, > it's > going to be too late to sound good. > > - Steve Mumford
Steve ,Hans and all, I think you both have good points. This is a complicated subject that has many facets. It is our own responsibility to play in tune. The more knowledge one has about good intonation, the better their intonation will be. One thing I have noticed over the years that concerns the difference in playing in a great pro orchestra versus playing in an amateur group is that the good group is always working for better pitch and the players have the wherewithal to do something about it. That seems obvious, but when i have played with the best groups it is always easier for me to play in tune. I took that to mean that I actually was on the right track. When I used to play in less accomplished groups I found myself looking around for a pitch center and when I was young i would even question my own playing, until i realized that there was no there, there in terms of pitch. This doesn't mean to be stubborn and insist you are always right. No. Do your best to work with the people around you in a respectful way. People who are stubborn about this are usually not the best players and they are the ones creating the problems. Sometimes there is nothing you can do about that. It is important to be confident that you play in tune with yourself and can adjust to the situation at hand. Yes, pitch comes before you ever play the note. You should be listening to what is going on as the piece progresses and adjust accordingly, but this becomes a subconscious process as you progress as a player. You have to have a certain level of trust that what you are doing, personally, is solid. So, when you make that entrance, you start with your best note, honed from practice and experience with the confidence that you can instinctively put it where you want it, and go from there, fitting in with the chords and the people around you. We will be having a couple of presentations and workshops at the IHS symposium that will help you and your sections get on track with intonation. Wendell For info about my book, DVDs, and live video chat horn lessons, see my web site at www.wendellworld.com _______________________________________________ post: [email protected] unsubscribe or set options at https://pegasus.memphis.edu/cgi-bin/mailman/options/horn/archive%40jab.org
