Help me understand this clarinetist!

[Jim]

Hi Mike:

The pitch of American Symphonies is usually a matter of local union
contract. It would be interesting to hear from others who are
knowledgeable about various Symphony official pitches.  Here in
Phoenix it has always been A440. L.A. Philharmonic was A440 when I
last tuned for them (1974). I think most American Symphonies are at
A440. I could be wrong.

Jim Coleman, Sr.

On Wed, 14 May 1997 MHoffman11@aol.com wrote:

> Hi all!
>
> I've encountered a clarinetist in my little musical world who insists on
> pianos being pitched at A442.  He has a Yamaha horn and says that "they don't
> even make their clarinets tunable to A440".  He also states that almost ALL
> of the major U.S. symphonies are tuned to A442.  Are these statements
> accurate?
>
> Let's just say that up to this point I've been "accommodating" to his pitch
> preference.  (up here in the Great White North, I have to correct pitch A
> LOT, and eight cents isn't all that much, to be frank).  But it does get old,
> doesn't it?
>
> Anyway, do clarinetists prefer narrow octaves or wide octaves?  How do I keep
> this guy happy? (as he is quite influential in this little cosmos)
>
> My ears are open to suggestions...do you have any?
>
> Stay Tuned!
>
> Mike Hoffman, RPT
> Marquette, MI
>
>
>