A 440 Hz Standard

[Fred Sturm]

--On Monday, April 12, 2004 5:29 PM -0800 David Ilvedson 
<ilvey@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

> Fred,
>
> Now, that  must be a subjective reading of timbre...if violins sound
> better at 442 just think what 445 would sound like.   When violins are
> made is there is there a specific pitch that resonates more than others
> and do makers strive for a pitch?
>
> David Ilvedson

Yes, timbre preferences are subjective. All the best violins (the ones 
worth millions today) were made to play at something like A-415. Strads and 
Guarneris and Amatis, etc, were altered in the classical era to have a 
taller bridge (more downbearing), the necks were replaced with an angle to 
match the string angle (which had been changed by the bridge height), and 
pitch was raised to something like 440. Why? I guess the same reason pianos 
were made heftier, with more tension, heavier boards, heavier hammers. To 
be louder, for one. And I guess timbre is another reason (preference). Lots 
of folks love the "baroque" sound of the violin, and either re-alter the 
instrument or build a copy. Same with pianos.
	Lots of violinists prefer the sound at 445. That's why the VIenna plays at 
that pitch, as do a few other European orchestras. I do believe the whole 
pitch question (as it is argued and fought over today) boils down to timbre 
of the strings. Everyone else is just along for the ride.
Regards,
Fred Sturm
University of New Mexico