Re: A = ?


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Posted by Gerald J. on July 11, 1999 at 10:49:14:

In Reply to: A = ? posted by Winton on July 11, 1999 at 02:13:54:

A string instrument gets brighter when tuned sharp a little. If the string and instrument are perfectly matched too sharp makes it quiet. But back in the days of gut strings it was always true (brighter when tuned up) so much so that many double bass solos are written for the bass to be tuned a whole step higher (and made transposing).

I have a tuba circa 1908 that has two tuning slides, the long one with the extra curl is what it takes to get it DOWN to 440.

Its somewhat ironic in the orchestra that we tune to the instrument least likely to be in tune (other than getting an A from a trombone). Probably because 2.73 centureys ago the oboe was more likely to be in the ball park than a fiddle.

Gerald J.


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