How often have you seen an ensemble tuning one by one to an electronic tuner only to play with pitiful intonation? Having the conductor instruct each individual how to adjust their instrument to the tuning note does not foster the ability to adjust to the ensemble.

The most important part of playing in tune is listening. Listening and recognizing when you are out of tune is the first step toward getting yourself in tune. You don't have to have "perfect pitch" but you do have to learn to listen. Relying on someone to tell you whether you are sharp or flat is like keeping a fingering chart on your stand.

Notes need to be raised or lowered slightly depending on the chord and degree. It becomes obvious that the player must be listening constantly. Again, you don't need to understand a whole lot of music theory or be able to recognize every chord or what degree you are playing. You just need to be listening and be willing to adjust the note until it sounds right.

Not everyone can devote several years to such study nor can perfection be expected from once-a-week playing. Whatever our level of ability, experience or devotion, we all should hope to improve. Doing something individually to enhance the team is expected in sport yet we rarely think in this way in music. We all feel pride when our group performs well.

I hope to be visiting the University of Toronto, Royal Conservatory and possibly York University to try and recruit hornplayers to attend. See last month's issue for reports and links to previous workshops.

Visit the IHS website for news and announcements as well as the Symposium website.