[pianotech] The pitch of Pianoforte?

[David Ilvedson]

I've done this before... '-[  But, it isn't a Forte Piano it is a fortepiano... '-]
The Regier fortepiano is, apparently, designed for A432.   We tune it at 430.   


David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA  94044

----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Joseph Garrett" <joegarrett at earthlink.net>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 1/24/2010 1:55:06 PM
Subject: Re: [pianotech] The pitch of Pianoforte?


>David asked: "What is the pitch for a pianoforte? A = 430?"

>David,
>I believe you should have asked: what is the pitch for a Forte Piano? We tune 
>piano(fortes) every day of the week at 440cps.<G> 
>If you are referring to Forte Pianos of  the 19th century or earlier, then it depends 
>on the age/origin of manufacture. A good example would be Swenson's Web page. 
>It has a section on "Musical Pitch". A good start. Also, the back of the "On the 
>Sensations of Tone", by Helmholz. Once you have read those two things, you will 
>get an idea how difficult the question is to answer. 
>I, personally have derived a pitch of 425cps for any piano pre 1850. After that, I 
>tend to use 435cps, if the piano is in good condition and the age is between 1855 
>and 1880. These pitches, I have found, are reasonably "safe" to use. However, one 
>should really assess the heft of the construction and basic integrity of said 
>construction, before proceeding. If there is any question of the piano's ability to 
>sustain these pitches, I recommend tuning the instrument @ A#=440cps. That way, 
>it will at least, kinda, match up to modern pitches/instruments, ....just a 1/2 tone 
>flat. This later approach is, of course, my last ditch approach, IMHO.
>Regards,
>Joe


>Joe Garrett, R.P.T. (Oregon)
>Captain, Tool Police
>Squares R I