tunefultrumpet

I am currently playing in the orchestra for the musical CATS. As the set was too big the orchestra has been put in a backroom and miked rather than the usual pit. The conductor directs the cast by video link. Every instrument has been miked individually and players can get a mix through their own set of headphones. The other trumpet player and I have been playing without headphones as we find it easier and we get enough sound ambiently to do the job. However I quickly discovered that I had to adjust my tuning slide to a lot sharper than usual to be in tune with the woodwind and trombone. I suspected that wearing headphones was making them play sharp because they hearing themselves at a distance, so to speak, due the headphones.

Anyway, I had a chance to confirm this when the flautist did a solo without her headphones on, she was pefectly in tune with my electronic tuner and then when she repeated it with her headphones on she played a lot sharper. I decided to leave my tuning slide at it's normal concert pitch position (which is where the four keyboards are at) and concentrate on playing down to the right pitch and not following the woodwinds and trombones sound, but it is hard work. I don't think the conductor is aware of the intonation issues.

I guess this sort of problem only affects instruments that can lip their tuning up and down. I also wonder if this tuning issue is occurring because they are not hearing enough of themselves in their headphone mix, rather they are hearing most of the sound of their instrument ambiently.

Anyone come across this sort of problem and if so, how is it solved? Any tips for playing in this situation appreciated.

Lezwoymn

Wow, what a wonderful job. Sorry, I haven't an answer for you but I'm sure there is someone, probably many ppl that will help you out. Good luck in your job and enjoy.

tunefultrumpet

job...I wish....no, this is an amateur production, although it is being done to a very professional standard. Eventually all the great West End and Broadway shows trickle down to community theatre companies who have a lot of fun putting them on and amateur players like me get to test our chops on the lead book!

kadleck

TT –

It seems to me that you are right. Those using headphones are most likely not hearing themselves well and probably playing sharp. My advice would be to go with the synth pitch (constant if nothing else). It sounds like you are doing this already.

As tough as it is, this is the way to go. In the house, the keyboards are probably cranked (if it’s like most shows) and the conductor probably hears the winds only occasionally. When he does hear the winds he’s probably hearing the trumpets more than anyone else, so it’s probably best to stick with the keyboard pitch. See if there is a gentile way to suggest to the other winds that they might try playing with one headphone off. Sometimes that can correct the pitch issue.

Good luck with the show. Is there still that picc. tpt. Solo in it?

Tony

tunefultrumpet

Thanks for the advice, Tony. There are four or five piccolo trumpet segments, I am playing a couple of them up the octave on my Bflat, a couple on my Eb (which I find slightly easier) and the very exposed solo at the end of the show down the octave ...I found I couldn't play it consistently well up the octave on my Bflat as my lip was starting to go by then...and in rehearsals folk were starting to cringe when I missed the top notes ....at least they didn't replace me with a keyboard....that happened to the french horn player! The whole show is a challenging workout and it's satisfying to reach the end of a performance knowing I've nailed 95% of it.

MJ

Where are you playing the show tuneful?

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tunefultrumpet

Whangarei, New Zealand.

MJ

Who played CATS on Broadway?

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lemons

MJ..

Wilmer would probably know for sure, but I believe it was Victor Paz and Ron Tooley plus one more whose name escapes me.

-Kevin

kadleck

Kevin is right - the original section was Victor, Ron, plus Ross Konikoff.

TK