pitch raise

[Clyde Hollinger]

Norm,

There is a question in my mind whether your reference to the tone
"blooming" at A-440 is fact or perception.  Maybe it's time to call in
the historians among us.  It's my understanding that A-440 was set as
international standard pitch only around 1920.  It is therefore
conceivable that pianos built before that time were not intended for
this pitch and that hearing the tone bloom is perceptive.  But then,
this may explain why some musicians ask for pitches higher than 440.  Is
there more bloom the higher you go?

No answers this time,
Clyde Hollinger

barre46@ibm.net wrote:

 However you did not
> mention what to me is also a very important reason to bring it up to pitch. That is
> what the piano was designed for. When you are doing a pitch raise, in most cases when
> the string comes up to the proper pitch, you can hear the tone bloom. It is more
> obvious in some areas of the piano than others but it will occur in pianos that are as
> much as 20 cents flat. If  the piano is not up to pitch, the downbearing on the
> soundboard will be insufficient to produce the best tone. Am I hearing things or am I
> right?
> 
> Norman Barrett
> Memphis, TN