Re: Re: Re: Re: Orchestra tuning


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Posted by C(G) on November 16, 2002 at 21:31:09:

In Reply to: Re: Re: Re: Orchestra tuning posted by Keith C. on November 15, 2002 at 15:06:23:

I think tuning to the oboe is mostly tradition. True, it's hard for an oboe to tune on the fly, but older orchestras used to have more than one oboe and that may be where the custom came from. (hint: definition of a minor 2nd: 2 oboes playing in unison).

The slavish tuning to A is more problematical, however. Suppose the first piece played is in F major? That's going to make the F from the strings sound pretty flat.

I've also hear that the oboe's used because its spectral energy lies mostly in the fundamental and harmonics 3 4 and 5, which tend to reinforce the fundamental. But this seems like an attempt at rationalization.



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