Relative pitch

[Rick Denney]

As a follow up, our church orchestra Christmas concert was last night. The flute player in question showed up not angry with me at all. Better yet, she actually played the chord in tune. In fact, she played better in tune during the entire program than she has ever played for me. I realize the sarcasm in rehearsal was not justified, but it just tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop it. Sometimes is it better to be lucky than good. Or maybe it was just Divine intervention. Relative to all possible outcomes, the concert was a rousing success. Maybe everything is relative.

I'm glad it turned out well, and believe me when I say sarcasm tumbles out of my mouth without the appropriate filtration all too often. I completely sympathize. I also sympathize with the flute player--I've often reacted to being challenged, but later come around when I've had a chance to cool off and actually think about it. That's the fun part of conducting grownups.

I suspect that the concert would have been quite successful even without that chord being in tune. That divine intervention is just as effective in the ears of the audience as in the embouchure of the performers.

Rick "who, as president of his band, has learned to check his pride at the door" Denney

[tbn.al]

That divine intervention is just as effective in the ears of the audience as in the embouchure of the performers.

Amen brother! Thank God it is!

[dfear]

I'm curious...what are some of the approaches of Tubenetters to teach good intonation to young and/or inexpreienced ears?

I find in my 6-8 grade groups that most of them need that visual stimulation to realize what "out of tune" LOOKS like. Once they have figured out the "visual" aspect of it, I have a much easier time getting them to undestand the aural aspect of playing in tune.

[The Big Ben]

So much better than to say "I'm the boss, do it my way" but, in fact, he *did* say "I'm the boss, do it my way" but in a way that the job got done. I find myself doing this constantly while teaching 14 and 15 year olds literature and history for the last 27 years.

When teaching 14 and 15-year-olds, it was once true (perhaps in the earlier parts of your career) that you could assume their respect and issue directives without the need for explanation.

Even 27 years ago, this did not work for adults. And I suspect it doesn't work that well for teens any more.

Yep, that's my point. Everyone has 'face'. If one can make suggestions, corrections and instructions still saving 'face', there is a chance for success. I very, very, very rarely give the 'do it my way' instruction. I always try to give reasons and praise for doing well. And, I listen as well as talk. Sometimes, what the kid wants to do is actually better than what I had in mind.


Glad the concert went well.