[CAUT] A440, once again...

[Jim Busby]

Bill,

Great Idea! Maybe he'll go for it... <G> But if it's true, it's a good "in your face" comment. Got any documentation?

Fred,

This makes sense. In fact, it is the reeds that are vehemently opposed to A442. Double reeds indeed at least need to make a different reed, clarinets might need a new barrel, etc. Most brass can push in the slide that much, and lip it in.

Others, (Thanks to all!)

I tested the percussion pitch and all the Musser and Yamaha (vibes and such) are indeed at A443. The director pushing A442 says it gives an "edge" and that European standards are pushing it up (so it must be good???). Funny thing is, he's asked me to tune the piano to A442 before and at least once I forgot (I really did David I...) and the next day he thanked me for tuning it to A442 ..............  hummmmmmmmm......

All the comments have helped. I am mulling over them all to give a response, but I guess the bottom line is, I'm JUST the piano tooner, and he IS the director. (Piano tuner's version of "Mine is not to reason why, mine is just to do or die.")

Regards to all,
Jim Busby RPT BYU

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of TUNERBILL at aol.com
Sent: Monday, November 09, 2009 8:41 PM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] A440, once again...

Jim,

Somewhere in the back of my mind I seem to remember that Steinway made the New York Philharmonic buy another set of pianos when they went to A-442.  Steinway didn't want to see there pianos being raised and lowered.  If I remember correctly, Steinway was concerned about stress and stability.  So Steinway wanted one set of pianos that would always be tuned to A-440 and another set to be tuned to A-442.  Maybe you should ask your department chair to buy separate pianos to be tuned to A-442 [http://cdn-cf.aol.com/se/smi/0201e03158/02] .  As a trombone player I am concerned about tuning issues as I'm sure the other orchestral instruments are.  I can only make my horn so sharp before I have to start cutting off tubing which is something I don't want to do.  I can't imagine what the double reed players will have to do when making their reeds.  I don't think the difference in brilliance that A-442 is suppose to give you is really that noticeable.  Good luck fighting this trend.

Bill Heiser
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