the difference- beyond temperment&orchestras

[David Renaud]

Good comments about orchestra vs piano so far.

Here is another factor, beyond temperment.

  Imagine attempting to tune a unison where the
inharmonic readings of 3 stings are normal, but 
a forth unison sting to be tuned has its partials
inharmicity read 0,0,-1,0,0,1,0,1.
  Such is the reading by tunelab of the partials
of my clarinet, an almost perfect harmonic series.
This is because Wind instrument vibrate a column of
air, without inertia comparable with stiff metal.  
 
  This offers credibility why my clarinet teacher,
principle of our National Orchestra in Canada
describes
performing an arrangement of clarinet with any piano
in any condition as a "mismatch of instruments." He
finds
it a difficult blend of sound and would much rather
perform with stings, or other winds. 

  The inharmicity of piano is exaggerated by the
thickness of the strings. The measurements I have
made on a harpsichord are very low, and I assume
violins would also be quite low.  
   
  This differential of inharmicity, in my view,
contributes to every orchestras struggle with pianos. 

                          Merry Christmas       



>      Orchestra's have a pretty flexible intonation,
> they really don't have a 
> temperament. Notes' pitches change with the keys. 
> Whatever they are playing, 
> it sure isn't ET.    Pianists are another matter,
> altogether.  
>      Perhaps an ET piano is closest to the midpoint
> of whatever tolerances 
> the other instruments maintain, but I don't think it
> is essential.  At times, 
>  a well-tempered piano has been regarded as more
> focussed in a concerto 
> performance.  The slight divergences from the
> theoretical ET in a WT are less 
> than most instruments' vibrato, so no large stretch
> is required of a string 
> player to play "in key" with an unequally tempered
> piano.  We had great 
> success using a Young for Beethoven's 3rd.  The
> pianist seemed to have an 
> easier time staying "on top" of the wall of sound
> behind her.  
> Regards, 
>     
>  Ed Foote RPT 


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