Re: CHAT: conlang and alternate tuning WAS: from the ashes...

Christophe Grandsire wrote:

> I'm still wondering whether the values of the Western octave are
> there by chance or if there's a reason behind the value 440Hz for the basic A...
Basically, standard pitch has mostly gone up over the centuries, as
instruments became physically stronger and able to bear greater tension
in the strings.  See the table at
http://www.be-blood.demon.co.uk/musictheory27.htm , which also
gives a good explanation of various temperaments (equal, just, etc.).

As for the A=440 standard itself, it was proposed by a conference
at Stuttgart in 1838 and finally became an International Standard
in 1939.

--
Not to perambulate             || John Cowan <jcowan@...>
    the corridors               || http://www.reutershealth.com
during the hours of repose     || http://www.ccil.org/~cowan
    in the boots of ascension.  \\ Sign in Austrian ski-resort hotel