congaplace.com

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By traditional definitions of "tuning", I will agree with this list. However, certain instruments on this list can still come close to obtaining a specific pitch.

Also, take note that Dmitri Shostakovich, his score for Kozintsev/Trauberg's "New Babylon" (a silent film from 1923), wrote an extensive melody to be played on the flex-a-tone. It was quite difficult to play.

Another one: George Gershwin uses tuned taxi horns in "American in Paris" (A-B-C-D, written in treble clef). Orchestras will used instruments tuned specifically to those pitches (see image):

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A note is a note. If it sounds, it is a note. Those are composers who were innovative and knew instruments that "couldn't be played in tune" could fill some tonal spot in their masterworks. Alas, this is falling on deaf ears....so I'll let you fight it out with Gershwin and Shostakovich someday!

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So you're saying two of the greatest composers in western music had no idea what they were doing? Please correct me if I'm wrong.

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Agree to disagree, seriously, no point arguing. Each to their own, just walk away from it.

^ exactly.

Quick question/comment, Timpani uses the lower pitch drum on the left because it is a "Tuned Percussion Instrument"? like Piano, Marimba, Xylophone, etc. Untuned Percussion like Drum set, Congas, Bongos, etc is on the right. Since Timbales come from Timpani shouldn't Timbales be a Tuned Instrument? and if not,they still are used today like Timpani with the lower pitch on the left. Just an observation.

DJBakan

Lower drum to the left is an American-style of playing. A good number of European timpanists play with the large drum on the right (and have, for centuries), which makes performing some orchestral literature easier (as it's written with that setup in mind).

vxla wrote:Lower drum to the left is an American-style of playing. A good number of European timpanists play with the large drum on the right (and have, for centuries), which makes performing some orchestral literature easier (as it's written with that setup in mind).

Thank you for the information.

DJBakan

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^ And here is the source of that information:

http://www.geocities.ws/scottweatherson/setup.htm

Another good reference is here:

http://www.europeantimpani.com/