Posted by Leland on February 24, 2004 at 02:29:50:
In Reply to: 440 hz VS 443 hz. posted by Chase Conley on February 22, 2004 at 20:20:40:
Okay, in brief (mainly because I really don't know the nitty-gritty details!),
If the pitch is based on A=440, then every other note on the equal tempered scale will have a certain frequency based on their relationship to that particular A.
If the base is A=443, then each of those other notes will have a different frequency, in this case just a bit higher. A tuba built to this base will be designed a bit shorter than one built to A=440.
A side note -- last time I looked, Musser/Ludwig keyed percussion were based on A=440, while Yamaha keyed percussion was A=442. It's hard to tell the difference between each by themselves, but if played together, given that they're in decent shape, they just don't quite match up pitch-wise.
On tuba, the difference is worth an entire inch or two on the tuning slide, which can be a problem if you play on the high or low side of the instrument. Tone-wise, though, the difference is minimal, if it's noticeable at all.