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The Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass all have "A" strings, so picking the note "A" as the tuning note allows all of the string instruments in the orchestra to have a common reference point. The violin and bass do not have a "C" string.

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8y ago
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14y ago

First, the orchestra does not tune to an "A." It tunes to a "concert B flat." This is of course, is concert pitch, so it depends on the instrument playing it. "C" instruments play a "B flat," "B flat" instruments play a "C," "E flat" instruments play a "D flat" The instrument typically tuned to is either the Oboe (C), bassoon (C), or, in the absence of these, the Clarinet (B flat). The reason for this is because these instruments have the least variability in tuning when assembled.

Typically, the orchestra tunes to the Oboe playing "A". Usually A-440. Zubin Mehta used to tune his orchestra's to A-448 which rendered a brighter tone overall.

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12y ago

C major is the only major key that has no sharps or flats. This is easy to transpose when reading and writing music.

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7y ago

All four symphonic string instruments have an A string, and the note A has a relatively simple frequency of 440 Hz (compared to say, C, which has a frequency of 523.25).

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Q: Why is A the note for tuning up an orchestra and not C?
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Is an orchestra's Middle C the same in all countries?

Not exactly. "A" is actually the tuning note (6 notes above middle C). In the US, it is at 440 mhz, in the UK, it is 435 mhz, and in Australia it is 445 mhz.


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They can be tuned anyway you wish. The most common tuning today is G'CEA, where the C is the lowest note.


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The ukulele can be set up to play differently, depending on the style of music you want to play. The standard tuning commonly used today is the C with the strings being G' CEA. D tuning on a uke is with the strings being A, D, F#, B


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It will depend on the tuning and size of the instrument. On the baritone size the lowest note is going to be the D string. On the GCEA tuned ukulele, it will be the C string.


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It will have the basic G, C, E, A tuning, with the two additional strings. These are paired with the C and A strings. The second "A" string is tuned to the same note as the other "A" string. The additional "C" string is going to be either an octave up or down. The strings in order will be G, C, C', E, A, A.


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Well, first, a metronome is used to show cadence - that is, how many beats per minute - how fast to play. For tuning, the standard concert tuning note is the "A" note above middle "C", or 440 cps for a "C" melody flute. (cycles per second . . . Hertz, or Hz, is used only in electronics and physics applications.) If it is not a "C" melody flute, then a different note name is used, but is still at 440 cps.


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an A 440Hz, in an orchestra given by an oboe