Page 13 - 2018 June BMR

Rehearsal Strategies Employing The

Yamaha Harmony Director Keyboard

Jordan Stern

Refining ensemble intonation can (which should be played 13.7 cents between intervals and fingerings. It
be a challenging task for even the flat to ET), but a hindrance when should also be easier for the students
most seasoned band director. One of playing minor thirds (Which should to hear the drone while singing than
the most mystifying aspects of tuning be played 16 cents sharp to ET). it is while playing as a full band. Sing
is the concept of Just Intonation, in using a simple syllable, such as Doo.
–
which the intervals are taken from the Application # 1 Drones n Split the Woodwinds and
harmonic series, rather than based on One of the simplest ways to use Brass up in a question and answer
equal temperament (ET). Fortunately, the Yamaha Harmony Director (HD) setting. Rather than having the
tools such as the Yamaha Harmony is to sustain a drone note for the ensemble play in unison against the
Director keyboard exist that make ensemble to use as a tuning reference. drone, have the brass and woodwinds
it easier to apply the concept of Just The teacher can push take turns. This will
Intonation to ensemble training. This the hold button on the make it easier for the
article will describe some different HD, and then play the Hear more from students to hear the
ensemble rehearsal applications for keyboard to sustain any Jordan Stern at the drone, and will help
the Yamaha Harmony Director. note or combination convention on the director accurately
:
For more in-depth information July 26, 1:30 p.m.
pertaining to Just Intonation and tuning of notes. The use of “Refining Ensemble assess the intonation
and tone quality of
a drone is especially
of wind instruments, I recommend the Intonation Using the
book Tuning for Wind Instruments: A recommended for Yamaha Harmony each choir. It may
Roadmap to Successful Intonation by playing a fixed-pitch Director” with a Demo also be advisable to
Shelley Jagow (published by Meredith interval tuning exercise, Group from Johnson split the choirs even
Music Publications). such as a Remington HS performing some further. For example,
In order to get the most out of exercise. The second upper brass could sing
these exercises, the band director note should be of the exercises while low brass play.
should be knowledgeable in proper compared to the sound discussed here. n Have the students
techniques to “bend” pitches properly of the drone, and placed provide the drone.
on each instrument. (i.e., lipping up where it sounds most resonant and You can have the students split into
or down, adjusting the shape/size of consonant. Have your students listen A’s and B’s, with one group singing
the oral cavity, alternate fingerings, air for beats of interference between their or playing the drone, and the others
direction on the flute, “shading” open pitch and the sound of the drone. singing or playing the exercise. This
holes on the clarinet, etc.). In general, The following details will help to promotes the skill of listening to each
it is easier to bend pitches downward make tuning Remington exercises other, rather than to the keyboard.
than upward. Also, it is very valuable against a drone more efficient: n Remove the aspect of rhythm.
for the director to be knowledgeable of n Do not play the drone too Treat each note of the exercise as a
the tuning tendencies of the different loudly. We want to use the drone as a fermata in order to give the students
notes on each instrument. For reference point, not as a substitute for time to experiment with adjusting
instance, when playing notes based an internal representation of pitch. pitch and finding where the interval
on the fifth partial of the harmonic n Incorporate singing. The sounds the most resonant and free
series on a brass instrument, the pitch ensemble can sing the exercise from beats of interference. Once your
naturally will be 13.7 cents flat. This while fingering the instrument to students form strong habits, go back
is useful when playing major thirds help strengthen paired associations to playing the exercise in rhythm.

Bandmasters Review • June 2018 11 Texas Bandmasters Association