Fortepiano pitch levels

Conrad Hoffsommer hoffsoco@luther.edu
Wed Aug 28 11:42 MDT 2002


Dennis,

At 11:48 8/28/2002 -0500, you wrote:
>I find it hard to believe that any serious forte piano player would be
>satisfied at 440.  I even think it is even better for the instrument at the
>lower pitch, but maybe that is just my imagination.  Any advise or experience
>with this is welcome. Public or private.

Two things - use and design

If the major use for it is in ensemble with other instruments, then I 
suspect it will have to be kept at 440. (I keep ours at 440, but in a well 
temperament.)

If it was scaled for 415/420, then, of course it will sound better there, 
and you may have problems trying to avoid broken strings at 440.



Conrad Hoffsommer - Music Technician
Luther College, 700 College Drive, Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045
Voice-(563)-387-1204  //  Fax (563)-387-1076(Dept.office)



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