And I suppose if we went along with A442 as standard it would just keep getting higher... David I. ----- Original message ----------------------------------------> From: Fred Sturm <fssturm@unm.edu> To: College and University Technicians <caut@ptg.org> Received: Wed, 14 Apr 2004 07:23:37 -0600 Subject: Re: A 440 Hz Standard >--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 >_______________________________________________ >caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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