jazz tuning

[harvey]

I don't usually discuss tuning of any kind, but I may not get a better
opportunity than the 'jazz tuning' topic to plug this in. These are general
thoughts and observations, as unbiased and candid as I can make them:

- I've been following and saving the constructive (non-argumentative)
threads like
* Bill's explanation of 'reverse well' (to check if I was doing this [wasn't]);
* Bill's 1/7 Comma Meantone chart (so I can test-drive it privately)

- Whether I'm proficient at HT's or not, I feel I should open-minded enough
to be in a position to discuss, even offer them to clients, rather than
refusing work... or hiding in a corner;

- The few times I suggested an HT (without further qualifying a type or
style -- not that I could) to teacher/performance clients, they threw up
both hands, and shook their heads. This may have reflected their
experiences with tuners who failed to qualify the client/circumstances.
After their reaction, I didn't press the conversation any further to find out.

- Now for the 'jazz' -- I'll make this as 'vanilla' as possible.
I once attended a technical by an avid practitioner/supporter of HT.
Several different HT's were presented. [No, I don't remember which]. On one
of these, a well-known hymn was used as the demonstration piece. Frankly,
it was beautiful, to the extent that it sent cold chills up the spine. All
the "colors" that have been mentioned here were evident. Later, I tried the
same piece (same piano, same tuning, same key signature), but played my
way. I used chords that I routinely use but can't begin to annotate for
scoring purposes. My version was as awful as the former was beautiful.
Although I remained in the "prescribed" key signature, my choice of
inversions (alternate positions in 12-tone) and passing chords destroyed
both the material and the otherwise skillful tuning. I concluded that the
tuning is co-dependent on the score... as originally written. I'm open to
having my conclusion proved wrong, but not to changing my playing style. 

Qualifier: The last time I played something the way it was written was
right after my teacher slapped me for free-styling on a classical piece (no
one said anything about corporal punishment in those days). I then quit
taking piano lessons and began playing professionally. Since then, I've
taught lessons, sold pianos, done countless recording sessions, recording
engineering, and instructed piano technology as a curriculum course (didn't
do that the way it was written either). I saw my old teacher a while back.
She said, "Jimmy <sic>, you've certainly gone a long way with music --
although I can't imagine how with your attitude and limited training".

I read this over three times, and can't find any flame bait. My UPS brown
suit just arrived from Conrad though, so I should be ready. Will let y'all
figure out my choice of color!



Jim Harvey, RPT
Greenwood, SC
harvey@greenwood.net
________________________
  Greenwood: the land that time forgot.