TuneUp - Finding Elegance in Intonation

[Derek Reaban]

I have been struggling to figure out how to incorporate some focused practice time several times a week to "fine-tune" my approach to intonation. I have tried some of the earlier TuneUp offerings from Stephen Colley and they just didn't fit with how I practice (even though I read many glowing recommendations from top orchestral musicians all over the country - CSO, New York Philharmonic).

Well, I just have to say WOW! What a tremendous improvement the updated TuneUp: Basic Training system is! The text is much clearer than in previous versions. The detailed suggestions that Steve provides for moving from "understanding" what being in tune means to making it a very real and learned experience is quite simply amazing. His "glissando" track provides the very best example of hearing where each interval is perfectly in-tune that I have ever experienced (and this from someone who went into serious detail in researching resultant tones and the mathematical description of describing Just Intonation). The key to that statement is the word "experienced". While I can understand when something is truly in tune (and I have experienced it occasionally in really great ensembles), getting to experience the "powerful serenity" of actually being in tune again and again using this program is extremely powerful. And since there is "unlimited access" to these exercises (just a CD click away), I can really spend sufficient time with each interval to get the intonation to really lock in. I can also choose to spend as little as 5 minutes with these exercises during a practice session, and I can feel my "intonation brain" getting exactly what it needs.

The sound quality that he has chosen for the recorded track exercises helps me to find the resonant center of the horn very easily allowing me to achieve a very vibrant and colorful sound (a major focus in my daily practice routine).

I used similar words in the post called A Rhythmic Epiphany, but they really apply here too. By spending focused conscious thought helping my sub-conscious to really understand what it is that I am programming into it (pure or just intonation in this case), it's like reading to a young child (conscious to subconscious). When the subconscious hears the "right" answer over and over, it will find a way to make that happen during rehearsal or performance because it has been nurtured with the "good stuff".

Stephen Colley has definitely provided us with a product that contains the "good stuff"! I highly recommend his new offering to help us all become more attentive section players, and solo players that can really hear what it means to be in-tune! As Chris Leuba (former Principal Horn with the Chicago Symphony) says, “elegance” is the attribute that we should all strive to attain regarding intonation. TuneUp will provide a tangible means to get there!

Bravo!

More info about Tune-Up.


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Derek Reaban
Tempe, Arizona