[Dixielandjazz] Tuning - Redux and lowering DH's clarinet pitch.

[Steve barbone]

I guess they way we all tune differently, that the bottom line is "Whatever
Works". If you play in tune, that's what matters.

And as Larry says, outdoors is a bitch, given temperature, humidity etc.
Perhaps that's why the "Rose Bowl" parade bands and others are so out of
tune. Or on a humid day outdoor gig, every wooden instrument is not only out
of tune with itself and each other, but much harder to play. Guitar and Bass
guys will tell you, "Man, it was like driving a dump truck today."

Kenny Davern often uses a 1928 Conn hard rubber clarinet on outdoor gigs.
Why? Because humidity does not affect it as it does wood. I just gave my
hard rubber clarinet away to a student as I am not so fussy, and could never
get decent projection from it. His projects louder than any of us even when
we use our wide bore 9G or 10G Selmer's. I'd rather lip adjust, adjust via
reed strength changes, blow a lot of vibrato like Bechet, or bend a lot of
notes to mask the problem.

Note also that my electronic tuner, which I rarely use except to try out new
clarinets, note by note, has a device that allows it to tune to an out of
tune piano. In other words, if a piano A = 420, the tuner will adjust to
A=420 and if you are of a mind, you can tune yourself and the band down to
that. I'd just as soon not play a gig like that because the rest of the
piano notes will not be in tune with the A and so no matter what you do, you
are going to be out of tune. And, when you use a longer clarinet barrel, or
pull out, the horn notes goes out of tune with each other even more.

Perhaps out of tune pianos is why we don't use one, except for occasional
subs for our guitarist. Then, we use electric pianos even though soundwise,
I would prefer to use a Steinway or Bosendorfer concert grand, perfectly
tuned by Opperknockity. (remember that joke?)

Dan Hardie, to get your C clarinet to come down, try a longer barrel, or get
a click (variable length) barrel. Ask Russ Guarino about his click.

Cheers,
Steve