>...If there is anyone out there who can tell me >they hear a difference between an orchestra >at 440 or 444, please tell me what you are hearing... >Rook It's very simple actually. An analogy is wearing the same pair of shoes year in and year out, then putting on a new pair of shoes that adds an additional 1/2" to 1" in height. That's not a whole lot when compared to one's height, but is still quite noticable when first experienced. The world suddenly takes takes on a whole new perspective. Likewise, A440 is the traditional given norm, A444 becomes the added dimension. That's 16 cents difference! Just 35 cents shy from crossing over into the domain of A#. There are musical groups that intentionally tune to different pitches when presenting their material because it assists in the effect of sounding different from the norm, even when the same chord structures might be used. There is definite deception going on when listening to some musical pieces, but nonetheless, it is a garnish that can attracts one's attention without specific knowledge of why. Consider the brilliant deception going on when tuning a piano. One note is tuned to its true pitch value, and meanwhile, all the rest are altered by stretching in some manner to give the overall impression of the whole instrument being in tune. It works! Keith McGavern Registered Piano Technician Oklahoma Chapter 731 Piano Technicians Guild USA
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