[CAUT] A-440 again

Horace Greeley hgreeley@stanford.edu
Thu, 21 Apr 2005 09:53:53 -0700


Hi, Joel,

Very well said - most sound advice, as it were.

Hope all is well.

Best.

Horace


At 07:31 AM 4/21/2005, you wrote:
>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
>>
>
>_______________________________________________
>caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives


This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC