Historical tuning, starting pitch

Hi, folks,

I haven't posted in a long time, but I do lurk now and then.

This is a Q for historical tuning buffs. In an off line discussion,
the question came up about how instruments were tuned with respect to
a standard pitch. Take the case of a 16th century instrument maker,
say an oboe or organ maker, something where the pitch is not easily
adjustable after construction is complete. What would he reference to
make sure his instrument would play in tune with other instruments?

David Finnamore
www.elvenminstrel.com

Yeah, you're right, a guy with a music degree really ought to know
better than to ask about 16th century oboe makers. :-) I was thinking
1600s, which would be 17th century.

David Finnamore
www.elvenminstrel.com

I don't know if I'm the right one to answer this, but I think this article
sums it up neatly:

http://www.polettipiano.com/Media/pitch.PDF

Oz.

----- Original Message -----
From: "David J. Finnamore" <tuning@elvenminstrel.com>
To: <tuning@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: 23 Aral�k 2005 Cuma 22:53
Subject: [tuning] Historical tuning, starting pitch

> Hi, folks,
>
> I haven't posted in a long time, but I do lurk now and then.
>
> This is a Q for historical tuning buffs. In an off line discussion,
> the question came up about how instruments were tuned with respect to
> a standard pitch. Take the case of a 16th century instrument maker,
> say an oboe or organ maker, something where the pitch is not easily
> adjustable after construction is complete. What would he reference to
> make sure his instrument would play in tune with other instruments?
>
> David Finnamore
> www.elvenminstrel.com
>
>
>

Thanks, Oz!

--- In tuning@yahoogroups.com, "Ozan Yarman" <ozanyarman@o...> wrote:
>
> I don't know if I'm the right one to answer this, but I think this
article
> sums it up neatly:
>
> http://www.polettipiano.com/Media/pitch.PDF
>
> Oz.
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "David J. Finnamore" <tuning@e...>
> To: <tuning@yahoogroups.com>
> Sent: 23 Aralýk 2005 Cuma 22:53
> Subject: [tuning] Historical tuning, starting pitch
>
>
> > Hi, folks,
> >
> > I haven't posted in a long time, but I do lurk now and then.
> >
> > This is a Q for historical tuning buffs. In an off line discussion,
> > the question came up about how instruments were tuned with respect to
> > a standard pitch. Take the case of a 16th century instrument maker,
> > say an oboe or organ maker, something where the pitch is not easily
> > adjustable after construction is complete. What would he reference to
> > make sure his instrument would play in tune with other instruments?
> >
> > David Finnamore
> > www.elvenminstrel.com
> >
> >
> >
>

You're very welcome!

----- Original Message -----
From: "David J. Finnamore" <tuning@elvenminstrel.com>
To: <tuning@yahoogroups.com>
Sent: 03 Ocak 2006 Sal� 18:27
Subject: [tuning] Re: Historical tuning, starting pitch

Thanks, Oz!

--- In tuning@yahoogroups.com, "Ozan Yarman" <ozanyarman@o...> wrote:
>
> I don't know if I'm the right one to answer this, but I think this
article
> sums it up neatly:
>
> http://www.polettipiano.com/Media/pitch.PDF
>
> Oz.
>