[sdiy] confused about keyboard ranges

[Magnus Danielson]

From: Gabriel Lindeborg <gali at tiscali.se>
Subject: Re: [sdiy] confused about keyboard ranges
Date: Fri, 25 Jun 2004 15:30:20 +0200
Message-ID: <40DC28EC.6040708 at tiscali.se>

> I have always thought that A0's fundamental frequency is 440Hz and C0 is
> the C below A0 since an octave goes from C to B (some say H) in my world....

The Concert A, A4, is defined as 440 Hz. However, this has varied over time
and is to some degree also dependent on what music you are playing... in your
symphonic orchestra. Some claim the violins sounds a little better a few Hz up
and others claim the opposite.

Anyway, the frequency is really somewhat of an arbitrary choice where psycho-
acoustical concerns comes into play. 440 Hz is a good definition for engineers.
If things are tuned to 442 Hz then it is bound to sound sharp relative to
other gear, which is unfortunate. Let's stay with 440 Hz for A4 and not confuse
ourselfs too much.

Cheers,
Magnus