<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" xmlns:v =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w =
"urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m =
"http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml"><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.3354" name=GENERATOR><!--[if !mso]>
<STYLE>v\:* {
        BEHAVIOR: url(#default#VML)
}
o\:* {
        BEHAVIOR: url(#default#VML)
}
w\:* {
        BEHAVIOR: url(#default#VML)
}
.shape {
        BEHAVIOR: url(#default#VML)
}
</STYLE>
<![endif]-->
<STYLE>@font-face {
        font-family: SimSun;
}
@font-face {
        font-family: SimSun;
}
@font-face {
        font-family: Calibri;
}
@font-face {
        font-family: Tahoma;
}
@font-face {
        font-family: @SimSun;
}
@page Section1 {size: 8.5in 11.0in; margin: 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; }
P.MsoNormal {
        FONT-SIZE: 11pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri","sans-serif"
}
LI.MsoNormal {
        FONT-SIZE: 11pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri","sans-serif"
}
DIV.MsoNormal {
        FONT-SIZE: 11pt; MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri","sans-serif"
}
A:link {
        COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; mso-style-priority: 99
}
SPAN.MsoHyperlink {
        COLOR: blue; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; mso-style-priority: 99
}
A:visited {
        COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; mso-style-priority: 99
}
SPAN.MsoHyperlinkFollowed {
        COLOR: purple; TEXT-DECORATION: underline; mso-style-priority: 99
}
SPAN.EmailStyle17 {
        COLOR: windowtext; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-style-type: personal
}
SPAN.EmailStyle19 {
        COLOR: #1f497d; FONT-FAMILY: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-style-type: personal-reply
}
.MsoChpDefault {
        FONT-SIZE: 10pt; mso-style-type: export-only
}
DIV.Section1 {
        page: Section1
}
</STYLE>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></HEAD>
<BODY lang=EN-US vLink=purple link=blue>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008>One last post on this (and then I'm
gone!):</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008>As I was attempting to understand the dilemma of the
unfortunate oboe player (as is my wont, to try and fathom the position of the
underdog in any conflict) I came across a lengthy passage on oboes from Norman
Del Mar's "Anatomy of the Orchestra" -a book which I have found to be a
fabulous resource in helping me understand, among other
things, "temperamental" instrumentalists, and what might cause them to be
that way. You may find the following information useful:</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008>(To avoid directly quoting what Norman says, and
consequent problems arising therefrom, I will
paraphrase/summarize:)</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008>Apparently... "Giving the A" for the orchestra is one
of the most important duties/responsibilites of the principle oboist. Not only
does he/she do this for the entire orchestra, but also for honored soloists
when they make appearances with the orchestra. (KRB: All except piano soloists,
which of course, would be silly...). </SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008>Not infrequently, oboists are actually
challenged over the pitch they have given, and principal oboists
often carry a tuning fork around with them, which they consult before
boldly declaring the pitch to the orchestra members (and also which they check
afterwards, to make sure, and also during the performance....and on the way
home...and in bed that night...and while falling asleep... -KRB
;-) ) Also, not infrequently, orchestra managements have toyed with the
idea of just having some sort of mechanical or electronic pitch reference for a
"guaranteed" A440, in place of the oboe, which well-meaning management
personnel have felt would be an ideal solution, and would stop the disputes...
But apparently this has been tried and not found to be effective, the orchestra
members having found the mechanical or electronic device too "characterless",
and it actually has irritated orchestra members....</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008>In the orchestra, also, pitch is apparently not so
much a function of mechanical accuracy as of compromise and agreement. (Think,
equal temperament: everyone has to agree. -KRB) The truth is, after the
initial "tuning" of the orchestral instruments to the oboe's reference,
(regardless of how careful an adjustment), few instruments retain
that pitch for longer than a few minutes, due to changing temperatures in the
hall, instruments continuing to warm up, (or cool down while long rests are
observed) some instruments cannot change as much as others, and some are more
capable of accomodating others, (and myriad other factors). So the other chief
responsibility of oboe (and other woodwind) players is to constantly be
able to adapt and adjust to the pitches of his fellow players. (In other words,
give the pitch reference, then try and adapt to what everyone else is doing for
the rest of the evening.)</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008>On cold days, or very damp ones, experienced
conductors, knowing the instruments are going to change with the
temperature, often let orchestras play or rehearse for a respectable
interval before calling on the oboe to tune the orchestra.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008>The virtues that qualify the oboe as the official
arbiter of pitch are: (get ready for this) "His maximum expressive power,
and....his relative lack of flexibility."</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008>Because of this the other members of the orchestra are
expected to pay him particular courtesy.....</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008>Hope this helps. I'm outa here.</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008>-Kendall Ross Bean</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008>PitchFinders</SPAN></FONT></DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008></SPAN></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN
class=090405919-26072008><EM>Connecting Perfect Pitch with
Reality</EM></SPAN></FONT></DIV><BR>
<DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader lang=en-us dir=ltr align=left>
<HR tabIndex=-1>
<FONT face=Tahoma size=2><B>From:</B> Jim Busby [mailto:jim_busby@byu.edu]
<BR><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, July 26, 2008 8:56 AM<BR><B>To:</B> College and
University Technicians<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [CAUT] Barbie tuner, 106 trumps
Accutuner<BR></FONT><BR></DIV>
<DIV></DIV>
<DIV class=Section1>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">True,
true.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Well, maybe not the part
”</SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">This is
obviously a major stressor for him.”</SPAN><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"> He
seems to be major GIVER of stress. Yesterday his accompanyist had a major row
with him, and the day before the Conductor of the orchestra was upset with him
to the point of leaving. Both directors of the conference are ready to strangle
him. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">You’re right. I need to have
compassion… (I certainly like it from other towards me!) Maybe the guy is mental
or something. (I know I am ;-)<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Regards,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d">Jim<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN style="COLOR: #1f497d"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV>
<DIV
style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: #b5c4df 1pt solid; PADDING-LEFT: 0in; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; BORDER-LEFT: medium none; PADDING-TOP: 3pt; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none">
<P class=MsoNormal><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">
caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Kendall
Ross Bean<BR><B>Sent:</B> Saturday, July 26, 2008 12:49 AM<BR><B>To:</B>
'College and University Technicians'<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [CAUT] Barbie tuner,
106 trumps Accutuner<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Jim, Jim~</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">When will you learn?
;-)</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">All you have to do is
tune one measly piano, -and you can take a couple of hours (or more) to do
it.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">This poor oboe
player has to tune 106 different musicians, all with different instruments,
all at the same time. And he has approximately 30 seconds to do
it (if that).</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">And you can bet every
one of those 106 musicians is going to be razzing him, at some
point, about his pitch being off.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Providing a
perfect A440 is his job description. -Look how many folks are depending on him.
-Sure he takes it seriously. If he doesn't he may lose his job. (And most
oboeists are "Aural" tuners - they know nothing about ETD's or
Accutuners!) Ever wonder how oboe players get their pitch? -These "barbie
tuners" are a relatively recent innovation. What did oboeists do
before that, ever wonder? Do they have... <EM><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Perfect Pitch</SPAN></EM>... uh
oh, don't go there....</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">(Most of your
pianists don't even know when their piano is off-pitch. They couldn't do
anything about it anyway, even if they wanted to (except to call you!) But
instrumentalists, they have to be really concerned with intonation, it's a major
issue for them.)</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">(That trumps your
Accutuner. -Any day of the week. Did you know that when a pianist performs a
piano concerto with an orchestra, the orchestral musicians--
--reluctantly-- --grudgingly-- --have to adapt/bend their usual intonation
to accomodate the equally tempered piano? No wonder the oboist gets upset! And a
lot of other musicians as well!)</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">You don't tune a
piano differently when you know it is going to be used with an orchestra, do
you. -No, I didn't think so. Pianists, <EM><SPAN
style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">and</SPAN></EM> piano tuners, can be
so oblivious... ;-)</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Have some compassion
for the guy. This is obviously a major stressor for him.</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">;-) </SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">~Kendall Ross
Bean</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">Piano&OboeFinders</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><EM><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Arial','sans-serif'">-Connecting pianos
and oboes</SPAN></EM><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></P>
<DIV class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'">
<HR align=center width="100%" SIZE=2>
</SPAN></DIV>
<P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN-BOTTOM: 12pt"><B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'">From:</SPAN></B><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'"> Jim Busby
[mailto:jim_busby@byu.edu] <BR><B>Sent:</B> Friday, July 25, 2008 2:34
PM<BR><B>To:</B> College and University Technicians<BR><B>Subject:</B> [CAUT]
Barbie tuner</SPAN><SPAN
style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman','serif'"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>List,<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>I won’t name the fellow, but at the International Double Reed
Society conference here at BYU there is this “oboist” who is running around with
this tiny guitar tuner complaining that all the instruments are off. He
confronted me before one of his performances saying that the pitch of the
Shigeru was not A440 but was A442. He said the Hamburg D was also A442 (Was
supposed to be at A443). I told him I was confident the pitch was where it was
supposed to be on both instruments and that maybe his small tuner was off. BAD
thing to say! Boy was he mad! After his performance, when most the people were
gone, the head honcho watched me measure the pianos. Less than 4/10ths of one
cent off… (Dang! Will I ever learn to keep my pitch dead on?)<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Funny, but almost all his high notes were extremely flat. Or
maybe I’m just dreaming…<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>Jim Busby<o:p></o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></P>
<P class=MsoNormal>p.s. Other than this unfortunate experience everyone else is
very nice and complimentary. <o:p></o:p></P></DIV></BODY></HTML>