The previous conductor of the orchestra I play in had the orchestra play a scale in our instrument's home key after tuning at the start of rehearsal. First whole notes, then half notes, then quarters and so on. This produced some very interesting sounds. Conductor said, "listen to the harmonics outside your section." Then we'd begin rehearsal. We had and still have a wide range of ages with some of us older folks with hearing loss. Older now, I no longer hear some of the harmonics. The present conductor has abandoned this practice and I think the orchestra's intonation has suffered. Could be that I hear dis-intonation now having moved from trumpet in the center of the orchestra to tuba on the edge with the basses. I now hear the all low strings better.
In winter, I've been asked during rehearsal why I've got the tuba on my face when I have no part to play. "keeping it warm is my reply." I'm not sure he believes me. Maybe there is some sort of electric tuba heater... some relative of an electric blanket. I do keep my mouthpeice in my pocket during tacit movements. I did that on trumpet too. Nothing like having an entrance on high G after sitting for half an hour. The horns simply couldn't do it in tune so the conductor moved that chord to the trumpets.
odd things about (some really fine) wind bands
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1 Ton Tommy
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Re: odd things about (some really fine) wind bands
Community orchestra member
1918 Martin EEb 4V, still played after owning 50 years
Martin Mammoth 4V, recent purchase
1918 Martin EEb 4V, still played after owning 50 years
Martin Mammoth 4V, recent purchase
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bloke
- Mid South Music
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Re: odd things about (some really fine) wind bands
I sort of liked the strategy that the just previous music director of a freeway philharmonic (per service orchestra of which I'm a contractee) used:
He started out with the most difficult movement or section of the most difficult piece (and about five clicks above where it's ever played) right off the bat, at the beginning of the reading rehearsal of each series.
After a few of those, people showed up with their parts ready to play.
He started out with the most difficult movement or section of the most difficult piece (and about five clicks above where it's ever played) right off the bat, at the beginning of the reading rehearsal of each series.
After a few of those, people showed up with their parts ready to play.
Re: odd things about (some really fine) wind bands
The folk at Chicken Hawk Racing make tire warmers for a wide range of vehicles.1 Ton Tommy wrote: Sun May 18, 2025 2:00 pm In winter, I've been asked during rehearsal why I've got the tuba on my face when I have no part to play. "keeping it warm is my reply." I'm not sure he believes me. Maybe there is some sort of electric tuba heater... some relative of an electric blanket. I do keep my mouthpeice in my pocket during tacit movements. I did that on trumpet too. Nothing like having an entrance on high G after sitting for half an hour. The horns simply couldn't do it in tune so the conductor moved that chord to the trumpets.
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