The Tuner Flip (and a deep metronome question)

Here's a photo from my studio. Basically, it's my Korg CA tuner attached to a filing cabinet using 3M Dual Lock.

The picture isn't wrong, it's on its side.

Why?

In return, I might ask, "Who decided that Right=Sharp and Left=Flat?" When you stop to think about it, doesn't, "Up=Sharp and Down=Flat" make more sense?

It does to me.

The *initial* reason I did this was twofold:

1. These tuners have a rounded edge and, when placed on a music stand, tend to slip.
2. On the opposite wall of my studio, I have a mirror which I often look at while practicing. I can see the tuner in the reflection. The whole left/right thing was messing with my head but, even in a mirror, up it still up.

So, those were the initial reasons but it got me to thinking...up and down really do make more sense.

OK, while I talking about these little electronic "truth boxes" I have another question.

This actually came up years ago while I was working on my dissertation.

I noticed that all these different metronomes, used the same tempo markings for the same Italian terms. Once upon a time, somebody out there decided that "Larghetto" would range from 60-66 bpm....but who?

At least at that time, I found that every metronome was the same.

But, I couldn't find the source...who decided this? How is that everyone seemed to be conforming to this standard.

Deep questions....I shall lay awake at night.

(I hope the answer isn't long and dull. Can we blame it on aliens? Dibs on the movie rights)

The E-flat "Re-education camp" (Gulag)?

Oh that pesky E-flat.

sharp, sharp, sharp.

Play it sharp often enough and it starts to sound right.

How could that tuner be right? It sounds so wrong!

Maybe we should spend some time playing it flat on purpose.

Actually, I've heard of a trumpet teacher who made his freshman play F (on a B-flat trumpet) using it 1st and 3rd valves. This would be like playing the E-flat in regular 6th position...nice and flat.

After a semester of this, perhaps the ear is retrained?

Maybe trombonists need to spend a similar period of time in an E-flat "gulag," or "re-education camp" playing the note flat to retrain the ear.

Perhaps as the camp commandant reviews the trombone prisoners during their "re-education" they could play the "Ruffles and Flourishes" fanfare with the E-flats getting lower and lower.

Like this

(ouch)

Hey Santa! (part 1)

My kids are starting on their Christmas lists. Once again a pony will not appear under the tree.

Here's something I'd like for Christmas, a sort of magic box. It should have:

1. A tuner with an easy to read display
2. A metronome
3. A digital recorder that records directly to a digital memory (mp3?). This recorder should be able to directly upload to a computer through a USB connection.
4. Good speakers.
5. A set of oscillators which can send drone pitches through those speakers. Also the oscillators should be able to play intervals and chords in just intonation (similar to the Tune-Up system but programmable to your needs).
6. A remote control so you can tape yourself without many trips back and forth to hit the record and playback buttons.

Wait, there can be more... add some new features to that tuner. Have it sit silently as long as your notes are in tune. If you stray by more than x number of cents, the tuner plays the correct note. Thus, you learn to play in tune using your ears, not your eyes.

I suppose you could throw in Smart Music studio with lots more useful accompaniments, too.

Here's the kicker: all this has either been done or is easily do-able. I think , if well -marketed, it would sell. But alas, performers are increasingly a niche market. The big sales bucks aren't there to justify the cost. Or are they?

Doubt I'll have see such a box, but maybe Santa has a soft spot in his heart for musicians.

I welcome comments on this one.

Maybe we can start a movement (hey, I can dream can't I?)