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440 hz vs 432 hz ???

#4
432 is just flat enough to make you out of tune with normal tuning but not enough to make the sound any deeper.

wherever you head that one, stop paying attention to them.
 
#5
Tuning to something other than 440 is fairly common. Orchestras often tune to 445 or 450. Dimebag was playing in drop C# slightly-flat. I wouldn't do it unless the bandleader wanted it.
 
#7
hartkebass08 said:
I've heard something that 432 is better to tune in ... What is the difference? Is it a personal preference ?

Thanks
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This system is a measurement of pitch. A note played at 440 has generally been considered to be "in tune" at standard pitch for some time now. A note played at a lower number would be considered flat, and a note played at a higher number would be considered sharp.

432 used to be considered the standard "in tune" pitch. But over the years the pitch we consider to be "in tune" has gradually risen. Some orchestras now tune to 445-450.

If you play solo pick whatever pitch works be for you... it's a personal decision. If you play with other musicians everyone in the group needs to tune to the same pitch or the music won't sound correct.
 
#8
My band tunes to A = 432hz. We do this because I read about it somewhere (on Talkbass maybe?), that claimed tuning to 432hz had some sort of mystical powers. I thought it was pretty funny, so I sent the link to our keyboard player, who thought it was hilarious, who sent it to our guitarist who also thought it was quite funny. So, being goofy old hippies, we did it. Just to be different, and quite possible tap into the mystical powers of the universe by tuning to 432hz! (and make anybody with a harmonica who thinks they can just jam along sound bad. )
 
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#12
Here in L.A. there are instances of professionals using "non-standard" reference pitches, but they are mostly orchestral. For example, the LA Philharmonic tunes to 440 while the LA Chamber Orchestra tunes to 442 (European orchestras tune even higher). The general consensus is that tuning higher helps keep woodwind instruments in tune as they tend to push sharp in 440. It's also another way for orchestras to differentiate themselves in their respective community.

However, if you are not playing in an orchestra there is no real benefit to deviating from 440. Doing so will only throw off your ear making it harder to know when something is "in tune," especially vocals and fretless intonation.

If I want a deeper sound, I tune down an entire half step. YMMV
 
#15
Coolhandjjl said:
The 432 thing was so singers with battered voices didn't have to work so hard to be on a pitch that they couldn't hit anymore anyway. So 432 makes it easier for them.
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huh?

that's not remotely enough of a difference to matter to a singer's voice! 432 is just "a little out of tune".

straight-up Eb tuning is typically used to ease the strain on singers.
 
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#16
F-Clef-Jef said:
My band tunes to A = 432hz. We do this because I read about it somewhere (on Talkbass maybe?), that claimed tuning to 432hz had some sort of mystical powers. I thought it was pretty funny, so I sent the link to our keyboard player, who thought it was hilarious, who sent it to our guitarist who also thought it was quite funny. So, being goofy old hippies, we did it. Just to be different, and quite possible tap into the mystical powers of the universe by tuning to 432hz! (and make anybody with a harmonica who thinks they can just jam along sound bad. )
Click to expand...

The powers were thought to be Satanic and that's why the RC Church made it necessary for music to be played, tuned to A=440. They also thought the minor fifth to be "The Devil's interval".

Also,

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pythagorean_tuning
 
#18
1958Bassman said:
The powers were thought to be Satanic and that's why the RC Church made it necessary for music to be played, tuned to A=440. They also thought the minor fifth to be "The Devil's interval".
Click to expand...

Nonsense. There's nothing mystical about 432, 440, or any other pitch measurement. These are simply pitch standards that have been agreed to by international convention.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A440
 

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