Thread: intonation???
View Single Post
Old 10-11-2005, 09:01 AM   #9 (permalink)
trickg
Forte User
 
trickg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Glen Burnie, Maryland
Posts: 2,054
trickg is an unknown quantity at this point
Send a message via AIM to trickg
The first thing I would do is break a couple of fingers on the keyboard player's right hand, and then bust his chops every time he flubs a line.

Kidding, although I'm sure that in your situation, the thought would cross my mind. Unless he's perfect, it seems that he's spending far too much time worrying about what you are doing and not enough time worrying about his own act.

Another suggestion, and keep in mind it's only a suggestion, is to look at the equipment you are using. I say this from experience playing in the same kind of band you are playing with. For about 8 years I played a LB Bach Strad with a 25 bell, and for the rock band and Latin band stuff, I used a Schilke 14A4a - I ALWAYS had some intonation issues with that mouthpiece starting at about A under high C and up. I also have a Korg CA30 tuner with a bell clip, and I used that A LOT on the gig, out of necessity.

Chances are, it isn't you, and your equipment setup wants to resonate sharp.

My "solution" to the problem came about by accident. I stumbled into a good deal on a great used Schilke B6, and I stopped using a Schilke 14A4a - I still use a Schilke mouthpiece, but it's a 14A4 and has the more open 'c' backbore. After I settled into this equipment setup, my intonation issues became almost non-existant. I still take the tuner to the gig, but I rarely use it - mainly when I pick up my cold flugelhorn for the occasional ballads. On the Schilke, as long as tuning C is on and my chops aren't worn out, I really don't have to monitor it like I used to. I did for a bit, but after a while, it got to the point where I was spot checking less and less, simply because I didn't have to. This doesn't mean that I don't still check my main intonation from time to time, but I don't go so sharp on Bs and Cs anymore. This trumpet is the most "dead-on" trumpet I have ever owned.

Again, just a thought - what equipment are you using?
__________________
Patrick Gleason
email me at: trickg1@hotmail.com

"What we do in life echoes in eternity"
"At my signal, unleash hell."
- Maximus Decimus Meridius
trickg is offline   Reply With Quote