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Exploring the Process of Vertical Tuning
internationally. While working with these groups, I spend is bound to help the listening process overall. Of course,
more time than ever trying to get students to do a bit you should then switch roles so that the B players are on
more vertical tuning, even with very little rehearsal time. the melody and the A players are playing the Eb drone.
(Which to say the least is always a bit of a challenge.) Depending on the melody, you might also have the drone
It can be done, but only with a bit of patience and a be the 5th of the key or even sustain the root and the 5th.
lot of persistence. My favorite comments from students There are infinite combinations of drones that you might
after honor band concerts usually have use to help students better listen for key
something to do with the expectations of Either way, the centers and harmonies that effect their
sound quality, blend and tuning during melodic material.
rehearsals. Even though they often felt bottom line is The next step is to find a group
overwhelmed by those expectations, that the students of students who are playing a melody
they believed the work payed off when playing the melody or countermelody on top of a chord
they experienced goosebumps during are starting the progression. For example, let’s say the
the performance because of the sonority, process of listening saxes and horns are playing a glorious
resonance and overtones produced by melody over the top of some wonderful
the group. to the root of the chords in the low brass/low woodwinds.
One of the things I’m doing more and key center on Have the players listen to the chord
more of these days is using an A and B which their melody progression and then actually hum
format to separate the players in each is based, which is or sing the progression along with
section. Let’s say, for example, that the bound to help the those who play it. At some point, the
flutes are playing some melodic material melody folks should be able to hum the
in the key of Eb Major. After dividing the listening process progression on their own and form the
group into A and B players, I have the overall. chords themselves without the actual
A folks play the actual written melody low brass/woodwinds playing. Have the
while the B folks are sustaining an Eb Concert drone at B players hum or sing the chord progression while the A
the same time. (Note that you could also use an electronic players are singing the melody. Switch roles like above so
drone to help aid the B players.) While doing this, ask the that everyone gets the same opportunities to develop their
A players to relate what they’re playing in the melody to the ears. Even if they can’t sing it perfectly, the resulting ear
Eb Concert drone. Is the melody more Eb scalar or are their training will go a long way towards getting your group
outlines of chords in Eb major? You’ll be amazed at the to the level of tuning, resonance and sonority that you’re
difference in pitch awareness by the A players (and you’ll looking for. Again, electronic drones during the singing
probably hear them bring the pitch down). Of course, it’s process will significantly aid the listening process.
important that the B players holding out the Eb drone are Now here’s the really good news! Since we don’t have
keeping their pitch in tune to provide a solid foundation lots of time in our rehearsals to do these kinds of things,
for the A players, but at the same time, the B players we need only pick a few places in each piece we’re playing
should be listening to how the role of the Eb Concert might to work these concepts. In other words, use only as needed
change a bit as the melody goes in and out of Eb Major. to get your group to the appropriate level of performance.
Either way, the bottom line is that the students playing However, do not skip steps if your group needs to spend
the melody are starting the process of listening to the root more time developing listening skills. Probably the best
of the key center on which their melody is based, which thing we could do is use chorales to teach these listening
Bandmasters Review • December 2018 7 Texas Bandmasters Association