| Article Index |
|---|
| Tuning a Zither |
| Overview |
| Electronic tuner |
| Tuning by ear |
| Reference tone |
| Appendix |
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Page 5 of 6
Reference tone (Kammerton)
Through history there have been a number of reference tones. The standard has been set at 409Hz in 1788 (the so-called Paris Tuning), 435Hz in 1809, and also at 440Hz in 1939. It is also asserted that Baroque music may have been played with A at approximately 415Hz, about a semitone lower with respect to a=440. In other circles a=432Hz is considered most harmonious with the human spirit. For practical purposes, just be sure you know which standard your colleagues are using.
Perhaps you would be interested in researching this topic further to write an article that could be posted on this website. Here are some references to get you started:
Allgemeine Musiklehrer, Grabner, p. 49
Handbuch der Zither, Brandlmeier, pp. 31-39
Kammerton entry in Wikipdedia (DE)
A440 entry in Wikipedia (EN)
Musik in 432Hz, website of Gareth Jungbauer
Mathematics of Tuning a Musical Instrument
