Re: [tuning] Re: Ezra Sims.Jon S

In a message dated 3/10/02 12:53:13 AM Eastern Standard Time,
JSZANTO@ADNC.COM writes:

> C'mon, Johnny, please! There are scads of "performing musicians" that
> make a living that not only don't hear acutely, but couldn't find an
> A=440 with a geiger counter!!
>
> Cheers,
>

It is funny to "hear" you say this. All along, Carl was hinting that since
you are a percussionist, all you do is hit things. Prefabricated pitched
instruments, or electronics, could be played by a deaf person. If fact,
there is a famous deaf Irish women percussionist playing with orchestras all
over the world. Of course, there is timpani tuning, for which one must at
least match pitch. But I have no doubt about your abilities. My friend,
pianist Joshua Pierce, can hear anything even though he has never tuned a
piano. He even did a few lines in our performances of "US Highball." And
I'm sure you, and others pro musicians studied years of ear training,
including solfege, dictation, keyboard harmony, and through private
instruction.

My statement connecting performing musicians with acuity of pitch is like
saying performing (better in both case "professional") basketball players are
tall. It is only a general statement that someone that has an easier time
with pitch would be in the most ideal place to perform professionally on
flexibly-pitched instruments.

Jon, if you are suffering hacks that can't match pitch in professional
situations, I can only extend my sympathies. Geiger counter....good one!

Cheers, Johnny Reinhard

--- In tuning@y..., Afmmjr@a... wrote:
> It is funny to "hear" you say this.

You specifically asked Carl if he thought people could be active as musicians without some innate ear-sense. And all I'm saying - and I'm not referencing people that I constantly work with - is that one look around can tell you that there are many, many people that pay the bills who might as well be tone-deaf. Like any profession, avocation, or hobby.

> All along, Carl was hinting that since you are a percussionist,
> all you do is hit things.

Carl didn't hint that at all, and it merely reflects your opinions of percussionists.

> there is a famous deaf Irish women percussionist playing with
> orchestras all over the world.

Evelyn Glennie, she's Scottish, and she is a very good musician.

> Jon, if you are suffering hacks that can't match pitch in
> professional situations, I can only extend my sympathies.

That wasn't even remotely implied, though a long career in music allows one experience with a great many players, some who are certainly not God's gift to music. I try and keep in mind that they are human beings as well.

Jon

In a message dated 3/10/02 3:30:23 PM Eastern Standard Time, JSZANTO@ADNC.COM
writes:

> Carl didn't hint that at all, and it merely reflects your opinions of
> percussionists.
>

This is a wrong assumption on your part. I love percussionists. You
obviously didn't take the hint.

Johnny Reinhard

--- In tuning@y..., "jonszanto" <JSZANTO@A...> wrote:

> > there is a famous deaf Irish women percussionist playing with
> > orchestras all over the world.
>
> Evelyn Glennie, she's Scottish, and she is a very good musician.

she was on letterman, i think monday night. wow! i think i should
block my ears with wax permanently! :)