Topic by Zwerg

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  • Zwerg
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  • Registered: 03-01-2014
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Topic: Tuning less than 440Hz on real piano

With Pianoteq it is so easy to change to another tuning and temperature.

PT also makes me to buy a real grand piano. I prefer to play PT on a tuning 420 to 425 Hz, after some months playing now with this tuning my ears don't want to go back to 440 Hz, I prefer the lower tuning.

I want to buy a restored piano from the begin of the 20th century.

Is it possible to tune for such low frequencies using the standard 440Hz strings? How does it sounds, there a more distortions due the lower tension? What happens with the volume, will it be louder or reduced, influence on the sound-characteristic?

Is it necessary to change all the strings, to a thinner or thicker diameter? Who did it or can explain what happens?

Reply by jcfelice88keys

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  • jcfelice88keys
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Re: Tuning less than 440Hz on real piano

Yes, it is entirely possible to tune a real grand piano downward from A440 ---> A420-425.  It should present no problem to the strings when you flatten the tuning.  In reality, you have probably already played a number of pianos whose diapasons have drifted down to A420-425.  You see, a semitone flat corresponds to approximately A415Hz, so you aren't down as much as even a single semitone!

Regarding tone or volume, neither quality will be noticeably reduced; you see, the vast majority of a piano's sheer volume is due to the soundboard's stimulation.

* * * * * *

Although you did not specify tuning sharper than A440:
If you were to attempt to tune a real grand piano as much as a semitone sharper,  i.e., A466, then you would run the risk of breaking strings due to the increased tension.

As an example, I recall watching the tv show 'Mythbusters' wherein they tested the strength of piano wire in the small gauges corresponding to upper octaves on a piano.  The strings were rated to withstand a 300 pound force (of course, divided by the fine cross sectional area of piano wire).  True to form, they withstood a 300 pound pull force, but promptly fractured when pulled as little over as 305-310 pounds.

Cheers,

Joe

Last edited by jcfelice88keys (04-02-2014 07:20)