Hello Frances and List All the answers about 'Pitch' and the history of same are embodied in an excellent book - which ought to be on everyone's bookshelf. Published by Scarecrow Press and written and researched by Bruce Haynes it is called simply "A History of Performing Pitch" - or - "The Story of "A" Get it ..... Regards Michael G.(UK) ----- Original Message ----- From: "FRANCES HELMS" <fhelms@topeka.k12.ks.us> To: <terry@farrellpiano.com>; <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Tuesday, February 22, 2005 9:25 PM Subject: Re: One more tuning question... > My former mentor, Augie McCollum, told me that pitch was standardized > at A440 in 1929. Prior to that each manufacturer had their own chosen > pitch. He usually knew such things and was around at that time. > Fran Helms, > Topeka, KS > >>>> "Terry" <terry@farrellpiano.com> 2/20/2005 12:01:49 PM >>> > It seems like we have been through this before (likely many times). I > really don't know that much about pitch history, but I seem to recall > that 435 may have been common back in the late 19th Century, and even > back then, A440 was certainly used - at least by some. But by the turn > of the 20th Century, A440 was pretty standard. Definitely not the case > that all or most pianos before 1920 were designed with 435 in mind. Or > am I way off base here (my recollection is likely not what it used to > be)? > > Terry Farrell > > Pitch before 1920 was 435. Most can take A-440 if not rusty. > Jim > James Grebe >
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