Definition

1. Noun:
   • A standard tuning frequency for musical instruments: "International pitch" refers to the specific pitch, or frequency, used as a reference to tune musical instruments for orchestral and concert performances. It establishes a universal standard so that instruments sound in harmony with each other.

Usage

• The term "international pitch" is used primarily in musical contexts, especially when discussing tuning standards for orchestras, pianos, and other instruments.
• It is often mentioned in contrast to historical or alternative tuning standards (e.g., Baroque pitch, which is lower).
• The standard defines the exact frequency for the note A above middle C.

Examples

• Noun:
  • Before the concert, the oboist sounded an A to give the orchestra the international pitch.
  • Most modern pianos are tuned to international pitch, with A4 vibrating at 440 Hz.
  • The adoption of international pitch has helped ensure consistency in musical performance worldwide.

Advanced Usage

• "To be at international pitch": to be tuned correctly to the 440 Hz standard.
  • The entire string section was perfectly at international pitch before the conductor arrived.

Variants and Related Words

• Concert Pitch (n): A common synonym for "international pitch." It is the pitch to which orchestral instruments are tuned for a performance.
  • The trumpets in B-flat must transpose their music to sound at concert pitch.
• A440 (n): A technical name for the international pitch standard, directly referring to the A note at 440 Hertz.
  • The tuning fork is calibrated to A440.

Synonyms

• Concert pitch: The standard pitch for tuning instruments.
• Standard pitch: The universally accepted reference pitch.
• A440: The specific frequency standard (440 Hz for the note A4).

Related Terms (Not Phrasal Verbs)

• Tuning: The process of adjusting an instrument to the correct pitch.
• Frequency: The rate of vibration measured in Hertz (Hz), which determines the pitch of a sound.
• Diapason normal: A historical term for an early international pitch standard.

Noun

1. the pitch used to tune instruments for concert performances; usually assigns 440 Hz to the A above middle C