[pianotech] The pitch of Pianoforte?

[Andrew Anderson]

Joe,
It has more to do with the "period" instruments that the forte piano  
is likely to be used with.  Some, especially resuscitated old ones,  
simply can't withstand the modern pitch.  There is this whole  
"culture" around lower pitches >too< that one has to contend with.

Andrew Anderson

On Jan 24, 2010, at 7:46 PM, Joseph Garrett wrote:

> 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
>>
>>
>> -- 
>> Internal Virus Database is out-of-date.
>> Checked by AVG.
>> Version: 7.5.560 / Virus Database: 270.12.26/2116 - Release Date:  
>> 5/15/09
> 6:16 AM
>
>