Contrabass Digest

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1999-06-19

 
Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 17:46:53 -0500
From: Bonnie/Oscar <bgyoaw@swbell.net>
Subject: Re: Formula for Hertz?
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com
Quick Check.

Double the frequency (hertz) you are up an octave.
Half, Down.
A  -  440, 220 110, 55.5, 27.75, 13.875
A  -  440, 880, 1760, 3520, 7040, 14080, 28160 (ouch)
Up 1 and a half   is a Fifth. (but don't do it too much)
A - 440   E - 660
Three Quarters , Down a Fourth
A - 440   E  -  330
Up  One and a Third  Up a Fourth
E 330   A - 440
Two Thirds  Down a Fifth.
E 330  A - 220

The fifth and fourth are not even tempered.
But they sound better!

Oscar
---------------------------------------------------------

Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 16:47:11 -0700
From: Grant Green <gdgreen@contrabass.com>
Subject: Re: Asian Instruments
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

>I just happened to notice, y'know.  I was wondering, firstly, if anyone
>knows of anyone using a few Asian instruments in an orchestral work, sort
>a "Ravi Shankar with the Symphony" sort of idea.  And as everyone was
>attempting practically every possible sort of sound covered, the fact
>there weren't one or two instruments from outside Europe (though the gong
>is pretty Turkish) seemed rather odd.  Taking the observation a small bit
>further, I am inclined to ask if anyone on the list has more than cursory
>training in any Asian or African instruments.  Thank you for your time.

I recall hearing a concerto for Pipa with orchestra a few years ago, at an
Oakland Symphony concert.  (The pipa is Chinese instrument played sort of
like a mandolin)

Can't say I really play any "non-Western" instruments, unless you count
didj (which I only just barely play).

Grant

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Grant Green            gdgreen@contrabass.com
                    http://www.contrabass.com
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
---------------------------------------------------------

From: "Aaron Rabushka" <arabushk@cowtown.net>
Subject: Re: Asian Instruments
Date: Thu, 17 Jun 1999 18:57:01 -0500
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

I know that the Boston Symphony recorded a concerto for Pi-Pa by a Chinese
composer whose name escapes me. I understand that a concerto by Nancy Van de
Vate for the same instrument was recently premiered. See the album "Modern
American Chamber Music" (VMM-2008) for an interesting work for shakuhachi
quintet by an American composer, David Loeb.

Some East/West crossovers have proven interesting, such as Ravi Shankar's
1st Sitar Concerto (not the second), and the use of the csimbalom (sp?) in
works by Bartok and Kodaly.

Aaron J. Rabushka
arabushk@cowtown.net
http://www.cowtown.net/users/arabushk/

---------------------------------------------------------

From: Heliconman@aol.com
Date: Fri, 18 Jun 1999 20:28:11 EDT
Subject: Re: Asian Instruments / BSO
Reply-To: contrabass@contrabass.com

In a message dated 6/18/99 8:00:15 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
arabushk@cowtown.net writes:

>  I know that the Boston Symphony recorded a concerto for Pi-Pa by a Chinese
>  composer whose name escapes me. I understand that a concerto by Nancy Van de
>  Vate for the same instrument was recently premiered. See the album "Modern
>  American Chamber Music" (VMM-2008) for an interesting work for shakuhachi
>  quintet by an American composer, David Loeb.
>
It's great to have a conductor as open to unusual instruments as Seiji Ozawa!
Doug Yeo tells of the first time he played his serpent for him. "Veerrrry
interesting sound!"
was his enthusiastic reaction. Now the Proctor Serpent Concerto is a regular
part of their repertoire.
Cheers!
Heliconman@aol.com


 
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