A440

Tuning and modern pitch, etc. Some older flutes, for example, were high pitched in A=444 or lower [than normal] pitch at A=435. Low Pitch instruments are usually at A=440 (flutes, clarinets, saxophones, etc.) whereas more modern instruments are A=442. Some other countries (not the USA) use A=444 where their instruments would be almost impossible to play in the USA. With the older low pitch instruments, A=435, it's about the same in tuning those instruments to A=440/442 as the A=444 to A=435 a.k.a. don't waste your time. With flutes and etc. at A=440, to play with a group consistently in A=442, you can adjust parts of your instrument to compensate for the slight variation in pitch by pulling out here and there and, although not 100% identical, it'd help a little bit. Instruments in A=440 CAN blend with instruments in A=442 and I believe A=440 instruments are a bit more mellow (possible due to being 2db's (I think they're decibels?) lower in pitch). Personally, I'm a sucker for older flutes whether they be in A=440 or not. I believe it is Europe that has an abundance of instruments in A=444 and, although they may be good instruments, etc. it's somewhat unfortunate that they'd never work out here unless one were to play the instrument(s) in the privacy of their own home! I think this is about the best way I can think of to explain A=440, etc. as some of that stuff regarding pitch and frequency in the A=? confuses me as well. I may be off a little bit on this but am fairly certain that I'm not. Good luck on your search!

<Added>

*Correction: hertz NOT decibels, sorry!*

A440

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