[pianotech] The pitch of Pianoforte?

[Joseph Garrett]

Hmmmm? And, why is that??? Is the maker incapable of redesigning it to be
tuned at 440cps and still maintain it's original tensions/sonority? Seems
pretty stupid to me, so enlighten me why this nonesense persists?? Thanks
Joe

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



> [Original Message]
> From: David Ilvedson <ilvey at sbcglobal.net>
> To: <pianotech at ptg.org>; <joegarrett at earthlink.net>
> Date: 1/24/10 2:24:55 PM
> Subject: Re: [pianotech] The pitch of Pianoforte?
>
> 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
>
>
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