List, In 40 years this 442 scenario occurred rarely. One instance a International Conference had request from Europe and South America for the highest pitch of 444. We raised one hall and one rehearsal piano to 442. No doubt you have already guessed that the higher pitch was selected very few times. In the second instance I witnessed the described tantrums for 442. The technician asked for more time and money and was given the OK to proceed. The piano was retuned(A440) with minor voicing, cleaning, stage set for best sound during the allotted time. In the final 5 minutes A was set to 442 with octaves widened to adjust for the shift. Kudos abounded. I'm not going suggest that this is the best path to follow. However when in this situation I do ask you all to consider the best sonority of the piano. Environmental factors do enter the picture ie humidity levels, size of hall, reverb, etc. After the pitch of the entire instrument is raised to A - 440 ++ pitch level does the piano have more or less sustain, fuller sound, or a better response??? As technicians I feel this is the area of our expertise. Apply your skills. Advise and perform accordingly. Keep in Tune. Joel UW- Madison, retired On Apr 21, 2005, at 7:55 AM, Jorgensen, Michael L wrote: > Avery, > In my experience, musicians will get what they want. BUT, > "money" and "time in the hall" rule musicians. If they want A 442 > then three tunings for other pianos are lost and six hours of hall > time is lost. IMHO to get stabilized for concert level will require > two tunings or four hours, to get restabilized back to 440 the same. > So considering you would have only needed to do one tuning, but now > must do four, three extra tunings and all the true costs will result. > Can they afford that much hall time and money??. It's their call. > I bet money and time in the hall will win. > -Mike > >> ---------- >> From: caut-bounces@ptg.org on behalf of Avery Todd >> Reply To: College and University Technicians >> Sent: Wednesday, April 20, 2005 10:28 AM >> To: College and University Technicians >> Subject: [CAUT] A-440 again >> >> List, >> >> This has come up again because of one particular string (viola) >> teacher >> here. There was evidently a blow-up of some kind at a Chamber >> Orchestra >> rehearsal last week because of >> his insistence, as conductor, that they tune to A-442. His primary >> argument >> for doing >> so is that "all the major orchestras tune at least to A-442". >> >> I understand the Cleveland orchestra doesn't. Is that still true and >> does >> anyone know of >> any other major orchestras who use A-440. >> >> My biggest problem with it here is that as far as I know, everyone >> (except >> him and maybe >> 1-2 other string players) like it at 440 and I personally just don't >> want >> to be tuning >> instruments back and forth to accommodate this A**. And yes, he >> really is! >> >> I thought I'd gotten this problem settled years ago but evidently >> not. :-( >> Anyone have >> any quick ammunition I can give to the Director? He's caught in the >> middle >> of it. >> Thankfully, though, this time it doesn't involve a piano. >> >> Thanks. >> >> Avery Todd >> University of Houston >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives >> >> > _______________________________________________ > caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives > >
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