In 1920, in the UK, 4 pitches were used: The French Normal pitch; The New Philharmonic Society Pitch; The Medium Pitch; The Old Philharmonic Pitch.
For C (note 52 on the piano keyboard) the respective frequencies are: 517; 522; 530; 540. (Through the years these pitches themselves changed to accommodate the thinking of the time.)
Since the 1640s, fixing a standard pitch has been a story of constant change. It seems that organ builders simply decided for themselves.
For Piano Makers, an increase of pitch instantly requires a stronger construction to deal with the increase in tension across the strings.
In 1800, Broadwood used a pitch of C 505.7 but by 1849 they were using A 445.9 - which is a higher pitch than the current 'concert pitch'!
Cramer of London, was using A 448.4 for his pianos in 1860.
In 1877, Collard was using A 449.9; Chappell A 455.9; Broadwood A 448.8.
1879, Erard A 455.3; Steinway A 454.
1880, Brinsmead, and Broadwood A 455.3.
What is known as Concert Pitch is defined from the A (note 49 on the piano keyboard) which has the frequency of 440. This pitch was accepted as standard in 1939 and is almost universally used. Occasionally a higher pitch is asked for: A 442 or even A 444.
© Steve Burden
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