Mechanical Music Digest  Archives
You Are Not Logged In Login/Get New Account
Please Log In. Accounts are free!
Logged In users are granted additional features including a more current version of the Archives and a simplified process for submitting articles.
Home Archives Calendar Gallery Store Links Info

End-of-Year Fundraising Drive In Progress. Please visit our home page to see this and other announcements: https://www.mmdigest.com     Thank you. --Jody

MMD > Archives > March 2013 > 2013.03.31 > 04Prev  Next


Standard Tuning Pitch
By John Harrold

Hello Scotty,  in 1937 most countries in the West met to set out
a standard tuning pitch.  They agreed on A=435 Hz at [air temperature]
15 degrees Celsius and it is the only pitch standard ever ratified.
This is very close to A=440 Hz at 20 degrees C.  Many European
instruments use A=435 but the USA is a different matter.

Never pull up strings to A=440, Grotrian Steinweg said it introduces
six tons of extra strain over A=435.  Letting strings back down almost
always results in variables that are difficult to erase.

If you look at pipework, look at the bass pipes: the stoppers should be
close to the end.  Although they may be slightly out, you can usually
get a reading that is close to the fundamental pitch.

The other danger is increased bellows pressure, commonly done to
increase volume, which usually results in the pipes giving out the
wrong partials and harmonics.  Try altering the bellows pressure until
the pipe speaks sweetly and you will not be too far out.  Hope this
helps a bit.

Regards,
John Harrold


(Message sent Sun 31 Mar 2013, 21:39:55 GMT, from time zone GMT+0100.)

Key Words in Subject:  Pitch, Standard, Tuning

Home    Archives    Calendar    Gallery    Store    Links    Info   


Enter text below to search the MMD Website with Google



CONTACT FORM: Click HERE to write to the editor, or to post a message about Mechanical Musical Instruments to the MMD

Unless otherwise noted, all opinions are those of the individual authors and may not represent those of the editors. Compilation copyright 1995-2024 by Jody Kravitz.

Please read our Republication Policy before copying information from or creating links to this web site.

Click HERE to contact the webmaster regarding problems with the website.

Please support publication of the MMD by donating online

Please Support Publication of the MMD with your Generous Donation

Pay via PayPal

No PayPal account required

                                     
Translate This Page