Posted by js on November 15, 2002 at 12:27:18:
In Reply to: Orchestra tuning posted by Keith C. on November 15, 2002 at 10:42:47:
What is the preferred method of tuning brass in an orchestra?
Possibly seeming "smart", but it is actually as simple as this:
to sit down warmed up, focused, in a room that has a temperature somewhere in the mid 70's (F.) and with everyone's tuning slides in the same places that they were the last time that the ensemble played successfully together in tune.
Otherwise, "tuning" the brass in an orchestra is merely a ritual...an excuse to give the instruments a final re-warming toot before the downbeat. If the brass section actually needs tuning when the tuning note is sounded by the oboe, there will be trouble in the performance.