440 pitch changes

[Richard Moody]

----------
> From: Michael Jorgensen <Michael.Jorgensen@cmich.edu>
> To: pianotech@ptg.org
> Subject: Re: Pitch and HTs
> Date: Tuesday, February 10, 1998 9:38 AM
> 
. I believe there is
> at least some leeway in what A-440 means, and add to this the
problem of
> stage lights and it becomes even cloudier.  I'm curious this is
> acceptable standards or what you and others think about it.  Is
A-440
> and one forth ok? what about A-440 and one third? 
> 
> -Mike Jorgensen RPT

	Being a staunch advocat of A440,  I thought I was going to have an
opportunity to present my case when I was asked to tune the pit piano
to A441.  The music coordinator would be there to discuss the overall
condition of the piano if other than tuning was needed, the cost etc
etc. 
	He met me in the pit, and before I could get a word, he explaned
that the reason for 441 was that with the change in temperature
during performance, the piano tended to drop flat. That the orchestra
actually tuned to 440.  I spied a tuning meter laying on one of the
chairs.  "Is this what they use?"  "Yes, they seem to be getting
popular."   (This was in the late 70's)  "I have something similar"
and pulled out my Korg.  We checked the two and then the piano. 
Everything was at 440, execpt my 440 fork which was two hairs flat. 
He told me that indeed during performance, the piano measured one
cycle flat, so that was why he wanted 441. Then I pulled an old trick
(new at that time with the meter), and  measured my fork again after
I had been holding it for 2 or 3 minutes.  It was fully 1 cps flat. I
don't know how many more tuning meters that sold, he also happened 
to be the head of the San Francisco Musicians Union.  Then I
explained the process of raising to pitch, about guessing how far
over to go  as the added tension would pull it back down, plus other
factors relating to instability.   He was understanding and ordered
an extra tuning before next day's rehersal.  So the piano got a pitch
raise of 1 and 1/2 (+)  cps. I guessed right, every one was happy.  
	Now if that isn't enough for the micro incremental error folks, I
once saw a piano (Baldwin F) go sharp (roughly 1/4 cps) when the
lights were shining on it.  But when one  contemplates the accuracy
of tuning when the whole temperament drops 1 cps, and THEN comes back
up again...    The pit piano was 441 every time I tuned it, and
rarely if ever needed a temp adjustment. The only rule is, find out
what is going on.  

Richard Moody