I’ve been thinking about this topic for a while now, especially since acquiring a wonderful “big name” non-compensating horn, and joining a wind ensemble that plays challenging (Gr 3-5) music.
When I first began to play this last January, I was very self conscious about my ability to play in tune, but gradually I began to become more aware that I WAS hearing variations in pitch and using alternate fingerings and lipping up or down to play correct pitch within the ensemble.
Most of the time I was seated next to professional musicians, and when I’d joined, I’d asked them to kick me if they heard anything that was out of tune so I could fix it. In part of the semester I sat next to a euphonium player/teacher with a fine tone and agile technique who reminded me of a couple fingering changes, but overall was pretty positive about what I was doing.
It has recently occurred to me that my high school instrumental program actually taught (HAMMERED) the necessity for playing in tune, and even though most of us hated doing it (“Treasury of Scales” EVERY DAY?) we ALL were ultimately able to achieve the goal.
So I’m curious- were you TAUGHT as a young student, to play in tune?