On Apr 10, 3:14=A0pm, "Steve Latham" <llat...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> "Ed" <riddlerea...@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote in message
>
>
news:2f4409eb-e516-431d-8800-7153ce79cf2b@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> > How far down on the piano can you play various intervals?
>
> > I thought there was a lower limit for each interval (e.g., octaves OK
> > anywhere on the keyboard, =A0fifths OK in the second octave or above,
> > thirds...etc, or something like that), but I can't find it.
>
> > To my surprise, I haven't been able to find anything online. Am I
> > using the wrong terminology?
>
> > Thanks,
>
> > Ed
>
> Ooh, this will be a good one.
>
> Ed, you *can* play a minor second on the lowest 2 notes (the A and Bb)
of
> the piano if you like. That doesn't necessarily mean they'll produce a
sou=
nd
> you like.
>
> How far down you can play (assuming you're desiring a traditionally
> "pleasant" sound) is based on many things - the tuning of the
instrument,
> the timbre of the instrument, the design of the instrument, and so on.
>
> Our 9' Steinway D sounds a low Db major chord, voiced Db - Ab - F from
the=
> bottom up quite well. The upright piano up in the classroom, even in
tune,=
> produces mud for the same chord.
>
> So what you're speaking of can't be given in any specific terms. I'd say
> though, basically, the larger the interval is, and the more consonant it
i=
s,
> the lower it can be played without ill effect.
>
> Using C1 as the first C on the piano:
>
> C1 - C2 - G2 - C3 - E3 (or Eb3)
>
> You might want to avoid anything but octaves below C2.
> 5ths would be ok starting at C2.
> 4ths at about G2.
> 6ths at about G2, and 3rds at about C3.
>
> Other dissonances would follow similar rules - generally speaking low
7ths=
> would be better than low 2nds. However, someone may certainly want the
> effect of the lowest two notes on the piano as a percussive, canon, or
> thunder effect. So they're all "useable", it just depends on what you
want=
> to use them for!
>
> I should mention also that, wider intervals also seem more consonant to
us=
> than their smaller companions: A Major 10th is "more euphonious"
sounding,=
> starting on a low note than a Major 3rd starting on the same note. So
> obviously, voicing comes into play as well.
>
> But to be sure, the only thing you can do is sit down at a piano, play
the=
se
> intervals, and see what happens. Then use your interpretations as
general
> guidelines as all pianos (and other instrumental combinations) will
vary. =
As
> they say on the internet, YMMV.
>
> Best,
> Steve
Beethoven's Pathetique Sonata uses close low intervals and does sound
a bit muddy. It even sounds muddy on an "authentic" instrument. I
assume Lou wanted it that way.
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