Pipe Organ Pitch Variation

[Steve Pearson]

There is no reliable way to predict how much variation there will be as a result of the temperature.   If memory serves correctly - always a risky assumption - the flues, that is pipes with a fipple, like flutes, diapasons, etc. will go sharp in low temperature, the amount varying with the size and scale of the pipes.  The reeds, such as trompette, posaune, clarion, etc., go flat in the same circumstance. In any event, they go in opposite directions!  The only reliable way to tune to an organ, is to have the heat/or AC on for several hours prior to tuning the piano.  What with the difficulty of tuning an organ from the temperament up, read: it is hardly ever done from scratch like that, and the enharmonicity of pianos lacking entirely in organs, the best you can hope for is the aural equivalent of oil and vinegar mixed and shaken.  In my experience, the safest approach is to tune the piano to A=440, unless there is a compelling reason not to do so, such as an old organ that needs to be tuned to some other standard, like A=435.  Any organ dating from before 1920 would be suspect., although many have been brought up to 440cps.  Hope this helps.
Steve

>>> <PDtek@AOL.COM> 11/30 8:59 PM >>>

It is common knowledge that the pitch of a pipe organ varies with room
temperature, but just how much?

Occasionally I will be asked to tune a church piano with the pipe organ when
the sanctuary is much cooler than it will be on performance day. I check the
organ and it is off pitch. The question is, is there some formula that will
tell me where the organ pitch will be at normal room temperature. In other
words, if the room will be 10 degrees warmer when the piano and organ will be
played together, how much will the pitch change?

Dave Bunch