chuckebaby
 
 
"This adjusts where the note "A" is exactly.  99% of the time it's at A 440, but in some rare instances, other standards are used.  For example, in many orchestras, it's not uncommon to tune to A 442 or A443. For half step down tuning, A 430 (which is usually a low as tuners adjust) is nowhere near enough to reach the next half step.  What you'll want to do instead is just tune to the next note down, which would be Ab/G# (which happens to be 415.30 Hz).  Or if your tuner has the option for low-tuning guitars (usually the flat symbol: "b"), then use that. The Hz adjustment on the tuner is for shifting the entire tuning system by minute

I'll try to explain the above paragraph simply.  He states that sometimes people don't tune to A=440, sometimes A=442, or A=443.  These measurements are in Hertz.
In the next sentence he explains that "For half step down tuning, A 430 is nowhere near enough to reach the next half step."  Self explanatory.
 
Then he says, if you want to tune down half a step, you will need to tune down to A flat/G# (enharmonic equivalents).
 
Which he then states is "415.30 Hz"
 
Simples..

here's some science: http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/notefreqs.html

lawp
here's some science: http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/notefreqs.html

Thank you.
 
 
Charlie - look at the chart an see the frequencies a half step (semitone) down..

Stevie Ray tuned his guitar a half step down. Probably made the horn players happy, if he had any. 
 
 
 

To all - the whole 440 thing has been beaten to death for forever, all around the world, from symphonies to the average Joe.
 
There are, in fact, multiple standards in place in different parts of the planet, and it all boils down to what one chooses to use as a reference.  There are all kinds of papers and thesis docs on the whole thing, and at the end of the day, it remains personal choice.
 
If person A believes one tuning is best for person A, then so be it.  The same would apply for person B, C, D, and the rest of everybody.
 
So please just everybody chill and invest that same energy into trying to assist those with actual issues, rather than just philosophical differences that will never be resolved.
 
Please - thanks :)
 
Bob Bone

Bob, I'm not trying to argue the merits of using different reference pitches with Charlie, that's cool.
 
I'm pointing out that tuning down half a step does not lead to A=435, and that a semitone does not equal 5Hz.
 
Am I wrong?

According to this: http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/notefreqs.html, if A=440, Ab=415.30 in the equal tempered scale. 

daveny5
According to this: http://www.phy.mtu.edu/~suits/notefreqs.html, if A=440, Ab=415.30 in the equal tempered scale. 

Thank you, Daveny5

When I began studying the sax I worked on playing each note in tune with an even tempered reference of A=440Hz but after finding out I could play some 30 pitches between C and C# I gave up on that. :-)

 
Is this the right room for an argument?