A440 Standard - SHIFT OF LOCATION?

[David Skolnik]

All-
First, I'm surprised that this issue was allowed to remain on this list 
(ptg-l) for this long.  Except for the parts about the Guild resolutions, 
it seems more appropriate for PIANOTECH, or CAUT.  Second, I don't think 
the subject is dead, just confused.  Besides, we need something to fill in 
until the next installment of "The Misbehavior of Soundboards".

The issues raised cover:
Perfect Pitch
PTG standards
Technical and business aspects of pitch change
Tonal effects of pitch alteration
Purpose of effectiveness of international standards

In my opinion, the issue of Perfect Pitch has no bearing on the discussion 
of pitch standard.  That some individuals are gifted (or cursed), some 
extremely so, has nothing to do with the desirability of a standard.  There 
was a worthy post to CAUT  from David Ilvedson (as well as Don Rose) on 
Jan. 29 titled  "Fw: Perfect Pitch"    which reprinted an interesting 
article about Diana Deutsch, as well as providing some great web sites.

http://www.provide.net/~bfield/whatabs.html

http://www.provide.net/~bfield/abs_pitch.html

What I miss in these discussions is the historical perspective.  I know 
it's out there, I just don't have the information.  Clearly, A440 is as 
arbitrary a standard as A438, or A435, or any historical pitch, not to 
mention the highly elevated British Military Concert Pitch.  (This, unless 
you share the belief of some that 435, or Verdi pitch is directly derived 
from the vibrations of the universe.)

Can anyone refer me to source material regarding the establishment of pitch 
standards during the last 200 - 300 years?
My limited education would necessitate such material being in English.

I am cross posting this to pianotech & caut lists to broaden responses to 
my last question.  I hope it doesn't create more confusion.

Oh yes, regarding floating pitch.  While I practice it to a degree, I think 
A439 - 442 is unacceptably wide for any but the loosest of situations.  To 
me, anything under 440 is unacceptable.  I think of floating as between 440 
and 441.5 for a A440 standard.  The standard most likely represents the 
lowest acceptable pitch in any particular pitch environment, thus, allowing 
the BSO piano to float would seem to give a range of 442 to 44? ?

David Skolnik
New York, NY

At 07:32 PM 03/03/2002 -0500, you wrote:
Sorry to beat a dead subject, but.....I guess it would be nice to rely on a 
standard at A440. However, with the climate change around here (Northeast) 
I've become a huge fan of floating pitch,  A439-A442 seems reasonable.  If 
I've got 220 strings in tune with themselves, the client's gonna pay when I 
move it. I'll charge for a pitch raise if I move a pianos pitch 10 cents in 
a home or 5 cents on a stage.  A contract is a contract and our Symphony is 
A442 and The Pops A441. However, Jazz, Pop and Rock seem to stick to 
A440.  In my opinion, I don't mind if a jazz club or school stage is at 
A442 in Auguest or A439.25 in February.  You can always move the A (within 
reason) to hit the dial. If you take the lead from our forths, One Hertz 
don't hurt!! Look at how out of tune our M3rds etc. are!
Just another opinion.
Fred Mudge
Boston