[TPIN] Resonant Center=Flat

[Dwight Bird]

First, you are not imagining this, and it probably confirms that you do know
how to find and play in the center.  Trumpets are a compromise.  They are
made of a mix of cylindrical and conical tubing.  The goal is to make an
opened ended instrument with a bell have the partials line up as if it were
an ideal cylinder.

We all know that the resonant open pedal note that should be a low C is very
flat (my horns play closer to a Bb or A).  This is a direct result of the
compromise.  I'm guessing that the effect extends into the bottom of the
normal range too.

We all know that low C# and D require some slide pull to be in tune.  Well.
we would then expect that the F# and G below that should require slide too,
but the Bb and C trumpets in my position resonate close to in tune on the F#
and G with no slide pull.

To answer your question whether to go for tone or intonation:  My preference
is to go for intonation.  But there are considerations.  
1) You should always play with the best tone you can.  
2) You should always play on a pitch that minimizes beats with the players
around you.  This is how you get a bigger section sound.  

So from these two rules I offer this advice.  If you are playing solo, go
for the tone.  If you are playing section parts, go for the pitch.  If the
passage is all in that low range, and you have time before and after, move
your tuning slide and you get both.

Smiles,

_______________
Dwight Bird
Kaysville, UT


>I find that relaxing into the resonant center from low C to low F# puts me 
>a few cents flat relative to my tuner. Lipping up to pitch definitely dulls

>the tone, and tends to make the notes sound sharp, I've checked this on 
>different horns and with different players and it seems common.
>
> So, do you go for tone, intonation or split the difference? Or do you 
> blame the equipment,  and/or glare at the players around you who might 
> dare to challenge the trumpeter?
>
> Gregory Curry