Tuning??

[ochaye_mckay]

Hi,
here's my first dumb beginner's question.

I have an Alto sax, so I understand it is an "E flat" instrument.

Does this mean that when I play an E flat it should sound like a C on the piano keyboard? Or when I play a C it should sound like an E flat on the piano? Or what?

Help please. Ochaye McKay!

 

[Linky Lee]

When you play a C it will sound an Eb.

This means that music is written down what is known as a 'minor third' (four semi-tones or keys on a keyboard) than it actually sounds in order for us to play along with the standard C instruments or 'concert pitch' instruments. For example the flute.

Likewise saxophones in Bb produce that sound when playing a C.

This means fingerings between all saxophones are interchangeable. Though you will need to play different notes to sound the same pitches.
Hope that helps.

A very good question actually!

 

[Rogerb]

Have a look here:
http://www.musictheory.halifax.ns.ca/transposition.html

Just compare the number below your alto note with the same number in Concert Pitch ... hey presto!

Your alto F# (a common tuning note on alto) = A in Concert Pitch.

(ISTR that in orchestras that A is commonly used?... and often given by the lead oboe?)

 

[richard_mac]

Rogerb wrote:
Have a look here:
http://www.musictheory.halifax.ns.ca/transposition.html

Just compare the number below your alto note with the same number in Concert Pitch ... hey presto!

Your alto F# (a common tuning note on alto) = A in Concert Pitch.

(ISTR that in orchestras that A is commonly used?... and often given by the lead oboe?)

Thats what I always tune up with Roger. I use my electronic tuner, put it on A then play an F#

Richard.

 

[ochaye_mckay]

Thanks fellas. I'm clear now. And I was going to ask why some websites have an "A 440" facility - so you solved that one for me in advance Richard.

Dave. (Ochaye McKay)

 

[Linky Lee]

Yes it is normally from the Oboe.

This is because it is a double reed instrument so is therefore quite hard to bend in pitch, meaning the note is likelier to be stable, though if your players can't play a stable A why are they in an Orchestra?

 

[philthd]

Linky_Lee wrote:
This means that music is written down what is known as a 'minor third' (four semi-tones or keys on a keyboard) than it actually sounds

just to be pedantic, an alto sax plays a major sixth up - not that it makes that much practical difference

 

[ochaye_mckay]

Like I would know the difference (ha-ha). But one day though!!!

Dave.

 

[Linky Lee]

ah yes indeed, because we read the treble clef an octave higher than it is actually written.

middle C is located below the staff with one ledger line. We would read this as our bottom C, which is one octave lower than what a piano would play (If we were in C).
But actually this is our left hand 2nd finger C. (our middle C)

If you have a keyboard you can find this out yourself.

Play your lowest note and find it on the piano. It sounds one octave lower than written.

 

[therudest]

Linky_Lee wrote:
Yes it is normally from the Oboe.

This is because it is a double reed instrument so is therefore quite hard to bend in pitch, meaning the note is likelier to be stable, though if your players can't play a stable A why are they in an Orchestra?

In the school orchestras for example not all of the members r skilled enough))) and in Big Orchestras it's still like that, cos everyone are used to it...just imagine if so much ppl will start to argue, who's gonna play that note =DD

 

[philthd]

my dad used to play the oboe in high school, by his own admission really badly, and once confused everyone by accidently playing an Ab.

i never really understood why orchestras dont tune to the tuned percussion since this is the only absolute.

 

[Linky Lee]

tuned percussion is also variable.

If you whack it rather hard it will go flat? though they wouldn't be hitting that hard, so it's a good idea really.

 

[Bobby G]

I would think a strategically struck piano note would be the ideal thing for orchestra members to tune to. Of course, we rock'n'rollers and jazzers tend much more to employ the 'that'll do' or 'close enough' methods of tuning - sometimes a bit of out-of-tune-ness can add a frisson of dramatic tension.

Anyway, as any adherent to the Pythagoran system of tuning will tell you, what sounds right to our ears is essentially out of tune, isn't it?

Cheers, Bob

 

[philthd]

when im playing jazz i just adjust my tuning the first time someone else has a solo - and every time im not playing thereafter if im not happy
but then im a faffer