Bending the Pitch

All key heights (lower/upper stacks and palm) on woodwind instruments control intonation and tone. The more open the venting is increased, the more open the tone (less resistance), but the sharper the pitch. Conversely, the more closed the venting is the more closed the tone (due to more resistance) and the flatter the pitch. Creative bending woodwind keys to repair leaks may help properly close the tone holes, but it will typically change the pitch of several notes and put the entire instrument out of adjustment.

The Right of “A”

A440, also known as the A above “middle C”, and further known as the note most commonly associated with 440 hertz was made the international standard for pitch decided upon in 1955 (ISO 16), and was reaffirmed by the same organization in 1975. It should also be noted that although some orchestras tune to an electronic tone that is calibrated to 440 hertz, many do not. Many orchestras are primarily concerned with whether or not they’re in tune with each other, and as such, the entire orchestra (or band) often tune to an oboe. The oboe cannot easily change its tuning, so often the other members of the orchestra to it.