[Harp-L] "Snailmail address - Zip Code" for Middle C and A =440Hz

["Aongus Mac Cana" <amaccana@xxxxxxxxxx>]

All this talk lately about alternate tunings has got me worried again about
where exactly Middle C is on my various harmonicas and whether it is
correctly identified as C3 or C4. I would also like to be assured as to
whether A=440 Hz is the A above or the A below Middle C.

I have a vague memory that Captain Reilly's manual on playing the chromatic
harmonica (the only guidance available fifty years ago) said that Middle C
was actually Hole 1 on the 12 hole C chromatic, but that for practical
reading of music you should play it one octave higher on holes 4 and 5.
Having trawled through my well thumbed copy of Captain Reilly's Bible I have
failed to find confirmation that he actually stated this. 

On an electronic keyboard (at least the one that amateurs might use) Middle
C seems to be C3. However I notice that on a "proper" piano keyboard it is
C4.

I would be embarrassed if I ordered a harmonica in a specific tuning and
found it to be a squeaky octave higher than I intended.

I suppose I might put myself out of my misery by hitting Middle C on the
electronic keyboard and trying to match it with a harmonica, but I would
still like to know whether it was 'officially' C3 or C4.

Beannachtai

Aongus Mac Cana