Klarinet Archive - Posting 000173.txt from 2005/10

From: "Dick Williams" <dickwilliams@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Upward Creeping pitch
Date: Thu, 20 Oct 2005 17:33:34 -0400

Since pitch standards have become a thread, I thought some might appropriate
additional sources. Try the history of tuning pitches on ask.com (many links
.. I liked the British piano tuning page).

Our piano tuner was in today so I asked him about high and low pitches. He
said the piano tuners' guild adopted A440 in 1923(BTW the 440 standard was
adopted in 1939 (not the late 40's as I mistakenly said earlier -- the late
40's is when I began to learn about this). He said he has been asked (most
often by singers) to tune pianos to a higher pitch (usually 442) but that he
will not tune above that for any price. He also said that sometimes piano
stores upon delivery from the factory will tune at 445. They retune at 440
for delivery. I asked why. He saud it gives the gut time to stretch before
delivery. Then the instrument doesn't go flat the first month after delivery
... WOW! ... I asked him about many orchestras using a higher pitch. I
thought maybe it was because they had some very old instruments beging used
in the ensemble. Since continental pitches were higher tuning to a higher
pitch might make relative intonation better. He then asked me why don't some
ensembles tune low since there are also many older instrument designed to
play at a lower pitch. Also many baroque instruments play at a lower pitch.
Interesting ...

I am learing oboe. I too find I can (and often must) move pitches at least a
quarter tone ( and more on some pitches and with some performers).

I guess the bottom line is. We need some standard ... A440 was agreeed upon
and seems fine. We can deviate from that easily IF that is what we wish.
But, please do not tell me that the standard is low because you or your
favorite singer are working at a higher pitch.

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org