During the days I studied Physics, the frequency standard was C as 256 Hz.
There was a standard book called Clarks Table, which referenced it.
I even had some tuning forks of 256 Hz (C)
Now we refer A as 440 Hz (or 220 Hz), which makes C as 261.63 Hz.
When was the change made and why?
Can anyone point to some explanation or a reference?
Thank you.
Regards.
There was a standard book called Clarks Table, which referenced it.
I even had some tuning forks of 256 Hz (C)
Now we refer A as 440 Hz (or 220 Hz), which makes C as 261.63 Hz.
When was the change made and why?
Can anyone point to some explanation or a reference?
Thank you.
Regards.
Around the 1830s it was first proposed and became an ISO standard around 100 years later.
It likely came about because there were multiple standards or really no standard at all, and a clear standard was needed for orchestras, music recordings etc. A common standard before A440 was 435Hz, but I've also heard of 432Hz
It likely came about because there were multiple standards or really no standard at all, and a clear standard was needed for orchestras, music recordings etc. A common standard before A440 was 435Hz, but I've also heard of 432Hz
In orchestras, I believe 432 Hz is standard tuning.
When players bought orchestral instruments to play in normal band, ran in to trouble with other fixed tuning non-orchestral instruments.
In the 70s, I recall I have to tune down the guitar to match accordion, as that C was lower
When players bought orchestral instruments to play in normal band, ran in to trouble with other fixed tuning non-orchestral instruments.
In the 70s, I recall I have to tune down the guitar to match accordion, as that C was lower
Me, too on the A440 -- at least as far back as the 1970's.
Wasn't A435 in use in parts of Europe as recently as 30-ish years ago, though?
Cheers
Wasn't A435 in use in parts of Europe as recently as 30-ish years ago, though?
Cheers
Rayma : Europeans like to introduce many changes to prevent their markets flooded with other country products. ISO 9000 and ISO 15000 and variants,
IEC color power cable codes were changed from red, yellow, blue black etc to suit European standards. Changing wire colors did create a lot of confusion in other non-European countries. But allowed automatic approval of European systems under IEC blanket.
IEC color power cable codes were changed from red, yellow, blue black etc to suit European standards. Changing wire colors did create a lot of confusion in other non-European countries. But allowed automatic approval of European systems under IEC blanket.
Physics and Music people have never agreed.
Heck, musicians don't agree; or pretend to, and then tune sharp for flavor.
In the USA, 440 has status as one component of telephone landline dial-tone.
Heck, musicians don't agree; or pretend to, and then tune sharp for flavor.
In the USA, 440 has status as one component of telephone landline dial-tone.
For some 60 years now I found 440Hz THE standard and never ever heard about 260Hz as you mention.
Care to quote some of those Physics books?
Care to quote some of those Physics books?
I have no access to this book now (along with another 12,000 books).
The book called "Clarks Table",is a science data book, used in school days.
Students are allowed to take this book to the exam hall just like a calculator.
Students used this book to do log, trigonometry, use of constants etc.
(those days of slide rule)
The current edition of the book says, the standard was revised to 440 Hz in 1939. Those older books refer as cycles per sec instead of Hz.
Regards.
The book called "Clarks Table",is a science data book, used in school days.
Students are allowed to take this book to the exam hall just like a calculator.
Students used this book to do log, trigonometry, use of constants etc.
(those days of slide rule)
The current edition of the book says, the standard was revised to 440 Hz in 1939. Those older books refer as cycles per sec instead of Hz.
Regards.
The available edition is recent update and as I said mentions the 1939 standard change. I was referring to editions earlier than 1969 which we had. Thank you.
Current book edition is year 2005. I am 66. I referred to a pre 1969 edition. What more question will you have ? Any answers related to the topic? Regards.
Pianos built before ~1927 were tuned to A=420 or 425. Makes such pianos worthless for group performances in an A=440 world. Orchestras made the change to make the violins sound more "brilliant". Now some orchestras are moving on to A=446 or so for the same reason. Why don't we obsolete all fixed pitch instruments like winds, celestes, pianos, pipe organs again? Multi million dollar pipe organs built before 1927 are obsolete and most pipes need to be replaced, although some can be modified. 1927 pianos tightened up to 440 have the wrong overtones even if the strings or frame doesn't break.
For further discussion check a piano or pipe organ website.
For further discussion check a piano or pipe organ website.
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This has a lot of interesting information on the reasoning for chosen frequencies. It is truly historic but is a recognised classic. The link should open directly into an ebook.
The Project Gutenberg eBook of Piano Tuning, by J. Cree Fischer.
The Project Gutenberg eBook of Piano Tuning, by J. Cree Fischer.
Attachments
Thank you for all flowing information.
The earlier pianos were not tuned to equal temperamental pitch. The written songs can be played only in the keys written, otherwise sound awful. They also avoided complex chords because of this.
I recall stroboscopic tuning on pianos in the 70s. People who tune have to listen to the beat notes and check if the tuned note has to be be higher or lower in pitch before listening to the beat notes.
The earlier pianos were not tuned to equal temperamental pitch. The written songs can be played only in the keys written, otherwise sound awful. They also avoided complex chords because of this.
I recall stroboscopic tuning on pianos in the 70s. People who tune have to listen to the beat notes and check if the tuned note has to be be higher or lower in pitch before listening to the beat notes.