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Re: 442

Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-04-05 22:32

To get 'A' in tune the barrel will need to be pulled out very slightly, depending on your mouthpiece, reed, and the way you play.

Theoretically the end result of this will make the entire scale out of tune, with few-fingers-on notes being slightly flat relative to the many-fingers-on notes.

In practice the intonation will be well within what most players achieve anyway.

It seems silly to deviate from an internationally agreed pitch, but many instruments are now designed at A442. The Yamaha catalogue I get from Japan (in English) has had all their flutes listed as A442 for many years.
Models YFL-**1 and YFL-**3 are pitched at 442, and this has not worried people. Other models may be too.

If the player is to tune to A440 in a cold environment he has the following choices.
- 'Lip' the notes up to pitch.
- Play using a shorter barrel (theoretically putting the scale out of tune).
- Play on a A440 instrument that is designed to be in tune with the barrel pulled out a little, and push it in (theoretically putting the scale out of tune).
- Play on an instrument designed at a higher pitch, say A442, in which case the scale will be theoretically accurate.

Life is full of compromises!

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