concert piano higher pitch than orchestra?

[ML]

I was recently told that some onstage concert pianos are tuned a bit higher
than the orchestra's A440 so that they "stand out" or appear "brighter" than
the rest of the orchestra.

I've tuned many thousands of pianos but have never even considered doing
this. Can anybody verify this practice?

Thank you
Michael

[fatstuff]

In my Town the symphony tunes to A-442. I tune about 1/2 cent above this.
Nobody knows the difference. But the piano needs as much help as it can get.
Been tuning for 48 years, 38 for the symphony.

Post by ML
I was recently told that some onstage concert pianos are tuned a bit higher
than the orchestra's A440 so that they "stand out" or appear "brighter" than
the rest of the orchestra.
I've tuned many thousands of pianos but have never even considered doing
this. Can anybody verify this practice?
Thank you
Michael

[Brian]

Post by fatstuff
In my Town the symphony tunes to A-442. I tune about 1/2 cent above this.
Nobody knows the difference. But the piano needs as much help as it can get.
Been tuning for 48 years, 38 for the symphony.

Post by ML
I was recently told that some onstage concert pianos are tuned a bit

higher

Post by ML
than the orchestra's A440 so that they "stand out" or appear "brighter"

than

Post by ML
the rest of the orchestra.
I've tuned many thousands of pianos but have never even considered doing
this. Can anybody verify this practice?
Thank you
Michael

Tis better to be slightly sharp than slightly flat, people will notice a
little flatness.

Brian

[Michael Laschober]

But a half cent? Maybe he meant a half beat. But even a half beat does not
cross the threshold of aural discrimination.

I share your opinion that it is better to be sharp than flat. But I think
we are both victims of psychology. A simple experiment would probably prove
us both wrong.

Michael