Some fifty years ago, American orchestras used a different pitch than European ones. I mean the former used A = 435 Hertz and the latter, A = 440 Hertz (only an example, I do not know the exact frequencies). What is the scenario nowadays? Do both of them use the same standard pitch? And what would be that standard pitch?
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Interesting topic best answered here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concert_pitch'Man know thyself' -
Thanks for the link. This brings me to another topic. A bowed string instrument, its pitch can be adjusted by the player himself. What about the other instruments in the orchestra? In a piano concerto the whole orchestra must put itself in tune with the piano. This means all woodwinds and brasses have this capability (the timpani of course) and must have a means to lengthen or shorten the length of the tube. Am I right?
A flute, for example, consists of three segments which, assembled, make for the total length of the air column. So I figure out one of the segments can be slid in or out by a few millimeters.Comment
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Yes, woodwinds come in pieces, and you push in/pull out to tune them. There are also other things that affect fine tuning, like how you hold your mouth and the reed for reed instruments.Comment
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Well, thanks. Right now I am downloading Grove's Dictionary, the 1904 edition, from IMSLP. So I think I'll have a clearer picture.Comment
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