 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: winders
Date: 2009-08-21 18:49
I wanna ask about tuning.
Is that true that European or common countries tuned at A=442Hz and American tuned at A=440Hz?
Is that okay to use A=440Hz in common orchestra? (If the statement above is true) and what's the problem or consequences?
Thank you
Post Edited (2009-08-21 18:49)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-08-21 19:50
Continental European Concert Bands commonly use A=442. UK (I think) and US use A=440. The rare exception usually confirms that rule.
That's why a "standard" barrel for a standard Boehm clarinet in Europe is 64.5mm long whereas others use a 66mm barrel. That's also why some clarinets come with two barrels of different length.
--
Ben
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Author: mrn
Date: 2009-08-21 19:56
The international standard pitch for A above middle C is 440 Hz.
However, many orchestras, including some major American orchestras tune higher, usually to 442 Hz (the Houston Symphony does, I know--and I think the NY Philharmonic does, too).
As a practical matter, though, you're probably more likely to hear 440 Hz in America and 442 Hz in Europe (although Berlin and Vienna tune even higher than that).
Whatever group you're in, you need to tune to whatever pitch the group is at, 440, 442, or whatever it is. This is something you can find out from your director.
Now, as far as purchasing mouthpieces and other equipment goes, you can generally buy equipment that is pitched for 440 Hz or 442 Hz in most places. Most Vandoren mouthpieces, for example, are tuned for 442 Hz (except those which are marketed as "American pitch," which are tuned for 440 Hz).
In most cases, from a practical standpoint, you ought be able to get away with purchasing a 442 mouthpiece, even if you play in a group that tunes to 440. The reason for this is that a 442 mouthpiece will make you sharp, and if you're sharp you can always pull out your barrel/middle joint. If you try to play a 440 mouthpiece in a 442 group, on the other hand, your only recourse will be to shorten the instrument (by using a different barrel).
Post Edited (2009-08-21 21:00)
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2009-08-21 20:47
mrn said "I think the NY Philharmonic does, too" [tune at 442]
Yes, that is correct, from a very knowledgeable source.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2009-08-22 01:13
The LA Phil also tunes to A-442.
The difference between 442 and 440 is like the difference between night and day...yeh, right!
Clarinet Redux
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Author: Lam
Date: 2009-08-22 13:50
And I suppose the Vienna Philharmonic is tuned to A=448Hz.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-08-22 15:12
>>>The difference between 442 and 440 is like the difference between night and day...yeh, right!<<<
If you're playing in an ensemble where everyone is at one pitch, and ONE player is 2 HZ off, it's quite noticeable, for anyone with a sense of music, at least. That's why groups bother to tune prior to a performance, after all.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2009-08-22 15:13)
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