A = 432Hz

Tuning A to 432 hz may yield the answers to the question that so many people ask themselves - why does my music not feel the way that I hear in my head? Why is it that so much of the music that I hear out in the real world feels so...plastic-y and false when I know it could be so much more?

Actually, no it won't yield those answers. It's basically just a big new age circle jerk.

But the weird internet obsession with A=432 does bring up some interesting questions about the history of how we got to our current standard, A=440, and why some people might dabble in lower tuning systems.

THE SCHUMANN RESONANCE (two sources)

A typical A432 website (blerg)

EQUAL TEMPERED TUNING AT VARIOUS TUNINGS FOR A

THE LEVITIN EFFECT

THE ISO STANDARD FOR 440 (in case you want to, buy it? I guess?)

THE ISO STANDARD FOR A SECOND

THE SCHILLER INSTITUTE ON 432
(they actually have an interesting idea basing A=432 on registration shifts of a bel canto soprano. I don't know enough about registration and the soprano voice, but something tells me that the register shifts aren't the same among all singers. That said, an interesting idea, and not nearly as idiotic as some of the other ones on their page)

PITCH INFLATION

HISTORY OF PITCH

CHANGING PITCH OVER TIME

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Peace,
Adam

[fh]

I tune to 440 kHz so nobody can hear my music

[cQunc]

"Everything i've said so far in this video has been complete and utter

So A432 *isn't* a road running from Bristol to Old Sodbury? Great, _now_ how am i supposed to get to Old Sodbury?

[ash]

Modern Music: A = 440
New Age: A = 432
Gregorian Chant: A = Whatever I want

[HoSza]

Fun fact: if you, at the same time, play your music *and* keep moving away from a person, who prefers A=432Hz, then you, both, are going to be happy! (Doppler shift. Actually, you have to run!)

[benjaminmarks]

They all ask "what is A", never "how is A"

[jacksoniansonex]

I’m still waiting on the A=420 movement.

[ivanheffner]

“We don’t perceive pitch in a vacuum.” This is correct on multiple levels…

[meghanhawkes]

Fun bit about the raising of pitch in some places in 'ye olde Europe', was the pipe organ: you're building a new organ for the church, and hey, smaller pipes use less metal, which is cheaper...and also higher pitched. So, a little fudging of the lengths (not too much, otherwise folks will notice and complain) to save some dough, and a little higher pitch standard for the instrument...it's kind of fun to see how 'rich' a town or church was relative to others, based on not just the size of their organ/number of registers and such, but also what they tuned their A to.

[kittyclaws]

Somebody once told me that A = 440
I ain't the sharpest note on the scale

[tubaboytom]

Which sounds better to you?
'Plays "All Star" twice'
Me with tear in eye: *both*

[harpsichordkid]

I studied early music, so we were always using different pitches. 392, 415, 430, 465, etc

Fast forward a few years, I was in a certain major city, and someone in the audience invited me to a lecture given by an “expert” of Pythagorean music. Sounded interesting, so I went. The guy had no idea about Pythagorean musical theory. The whole talk was about A=432, and why 440 is Fascists using music in order to mind control the masses. Also, humming 432hz might bring dead birds back to life.

After the talk, I asked the “expert” what he thought of historical pitches being mostly regional, and even within regions, you often find a difference between instruments meant for church and those meant for the theatre. Organs tended to be pitched higher - a tradition that lasted into the early 20th century. For instance, antique American reed organs are often close to A=450.

They did serve a very nice lunch though.

[peterwallace]

I live in the UK and play in a brass band. In the 1960's most bands still tuned to A=453Hz. Boosey and Hawkes (A prominent manufacturer) was advertising in 1969 to persuade bands to convert their instruments to "Low Pitch" from "High Pitch" or "Old Philharmonic". 453 tuning is impossible on modern instruments. 432 is possible but as instruments are designed for 440 the results wouldn't be entirely satisfactory with some notes not "speaking" properly. sorry if this comment is a bit late considering the date of the video but it is a fascinating subject.

[AlanKey]

As a physicist, I find the lowercase "h" on Hertz... disconcerting.

It's messing with my chakras.

[fredmachine]

So that's why Pantera tuned to ~430 Hz. I mean, they were known for their soft, warm, and generally pleasant sound firmly rooted in gaian vibrations and harmony.

[Kriegter]

You can just play it a half step down, say it's 432 and people would have the same reaction

[alexanderfeht]

I grew up playing piano, playing violin and singing in A=432 Hz world, because in Russia at the time (1960s) tuning forks were still made according to the old Verdi's system. Now, everything played and recorded within the A=440 Hz tuning system sounds too sharp, too "bright" to me, sometimes confuses me when I try to define tonality (especially when an incorrect CD recording makes frequencies even higher), and really, practically, causes tension and even some headache. There is a big difference for me between A432 and A440 performances, the A432 music sounds more "elegant" and less "neurotic, " so to speak. I am not trying to rationalize or to justify my preference by some mystical or numerological reasons. The lower tuning according to Verdi, while not being too low, is simply easier on strings and voices, therefore allowing for more expression and less exertion. Notwithstanding the BS of New Age arguments.

[matthewbertrand]

I am now starting the A=428 movement. It's warm, like a musical hug. My scientific reasoning for this movement is that hugs are nice.

edit: i love all of you, and you all get hugs both physical and musical

[Gamernutritionfacts]

“Sacred vibrational geometry” sounds like a name for a math rock band

[boredstudent]

My Harp teacher was into this stuff and had me tune down, and i kept it, cause i have all my other Instruments on 440, and imo the kind of music i usually play on harp suits a little deeper even more claming timbre.

[stp]

432 is missing 8 cycles; it leaves a hole in the sound. I call it the A-hole