Re: [Harp-L] A=440 Hz

["Joe Spiers" <joemopar@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hohner tunes Golden Melodies to 443 at the factory, according to the ones I've 
checked to my Peterson strobe tuner. I use that as my default unless the 
customer specifies otherwise. It works very well for most people, and it's what 
they're already used to.

Marine Bands and Special 20's are tuned to 440+12 cents (4 blow). The flattened 
notes of the chord end up right at 440, but the 5/9 draw is sharpened to 440 to 
create a compromised just intonation (but not 19-limit, which brings the 5/9 
draw sharper by another 13-14 cents). If the tonic wasn't tuned sharp, the 
notes that are offset flatter for smooth chords would sound really, really 
flat. I also follow Hohner's lead on these harps, unless otherwise requested.

Reasons for pitch dropping include player influence on the reed (resonance not 
being accurate), and/or physical properties of the reed not being as good as 
they could be. BTW reeds can also go sharp under pressure. When these physical 
properties are deficient (at least they are deficient in my opinion), you can't 
blame all pitch drifting on the player being too forceful. It also makes tuning 
octaves and chords a pain in the neck. Although I can often make them behave, 
sometimes the quickest fix for the situation is replacing the offending reed, 
even on brand new harps. Not limited to any one particular manufacturer either.

Joe Spiers
http://www.spiersharmonicas.com



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jonathan Metts" <prairiedogpr@xxxxxxxxx>
To: <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
Sent: Saturday, January 31, 2009 3:37 PM
Subject: [Harp-L] Re: A=440 Hz


> Most harp customizers also tune sharp for the same reason (for playing with a 
> band).  I know for a fact Joe Spiers does this, although you could probably 
> ask for true tuning if it bothers you, or maybe if you play solo all the 
> time.  Most people in the audience don't have good enough pitch to notice a 
> few cents' difference.
>
> Jonathan Metts
> Prairie Dog PR
> Ph: 205.435.0991
> pr@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx / prairiedogpr@xxxxxxxxx
> _______________________________________________
> Harp-L is sponsored by SPAH, http://www.spah.org
> Harp-L@xxxxxxxxxx
> http://harp-l.org/mailman/listinfo/harp-l