al instruments
are supposed to be tuned to concert pitch. The stringed instruments
can, of course, be tuned to any pitch; but the brass and wood-wind
instruments are not so adjustable. The brass instruments are provided
with a tuning slide and their pitch can be lowered somewhat, but
rarely as much as a half-step, while the clarinet should not be varied
from its fixed pitch if it can be avoided. It is desirable, then, that
all pianos used with orchestra should be tuned to concert pitch if
possible.

2d, As an accompaniment for singing.--Some persons use their pianos
mainly for accompanying. It may be that singers cannot sing high, in
which case they are better pleased if the piano is tuned to
international pitch, while others, especially concert singers, have
their pianos at a higher pitch. Where a piano is used in the home to
practice by, and the singer goes out to various places to sing with
other instruments, we have always advised to have the piano tuned as
near concert pitch as it would bear, for the reason that if one
practices with an instrument tuned to concert pitch he may feel sure
of reaching the pitch of any instrument he may be called upon to sing
with elsewhere.

The great majority of pianos are left entirely to the tuner's judgment
in regard to pitch. The tuner knows, or should know, to what pitch to
tune the piano to insure the best results. The following suggestions
will be found entirely safe to follow in deciding the question of the
pitch to which to tune:

Ascertain if the piano is used with orchestra, and if clarinets and
cornets are used. If so, and the piano is not too much below concert
pitch, and bids fair to stand the tension, draw your 3C up to concert
pitch and proceed to lay your temperament. If the piano is nearly as
low as international pitch, do not try to bring it up at one tuning to
concert unless the owner demands it, when you may explain that it will
not stand in tune long. The slightest alteration possible, in the
pitch of an instrument, insures the best results, so far as standing
in tune is concerned.

If everything be left to your judgment, as it generally is, and the
instrument is for general, rather than special use, set your
temperament at such a pitch as will require the least possible
alteration. This may be arrived at in the following way: Ascertain
which portion of the instrument has fallen the most. The overstrung
bass strings generally stand better than any other, a