Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Entertainment/2009 March 9

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March 9

Can someone identify this book?

Following a discussion about young authors I remembered a book that featured some evil holy man (priest or reverend or something similar) in a children's horror novel. I think it was written by a kid, but I'm totally unsure about it. The title might've been some variety of Wormwood. Does any of this ring a bell with anyone? - Mgm|^(talk) 09:55, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

Possibly The Screwtape Letters? --LarryMac | Talk 13:11, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

Wormwood by G.P.Taylor is apparently a children's book, the prequel seems to involve an evil reverend or something. I've never heard of the book nor its author, but it seems like it fits your description pretty well. AlexiusHoratius 15:07, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

• I was looking for Shadowmancer. No idea how that sequel came to mind. Thanks. - Mgm|^(talk) 23:14, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

Musical tuning A440?

I have a recording of somebody singing 4 notes as part of a melody. Approximate pitches are:

• 243 Hz
• 270 Hz
• 319 Hz
• 405 Hz

It sounds relatively in tune, but the pitch values don't seem to match piano key frequencies or A440. Does it mean they're using some other tuning? If so, which one?--Sonjaaa (talk) 15:03, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

It corresponds approximately to using an A of 430 Hz, which, given equal temperament, would give

• 241.3 Hz = B
• 270.9 Hz = C#
• 322.1 Hz = E
• 405.9 Hz = G#

--NorwegianBlue ^talk 15:22, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

Is this a modern or an older recording? --jpgordon^∇∆∇∆ 21:19, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

It is sung by a person from a different culture. --Sonjaaa (talk) 21:50, 9 March 2009 (UTC)

Be aware that the notes can be in tune with each other without being in tune with the A440 pitch standard. Only the multipliers or divisors to get from one pitch's frequency to the next determine if the pitches sound in tune with each other, the specific frequency of a pitch isn't important.

A cappella singers (who don't need to match a tuned instrument) might choose an arbitrary, comfortable starting pitch and sing other notes in tune with it. --Bavi H (talk) 03:54, 10 March 2009 (UTC)

And indeed 243:270:324:405 would be in minor harmony (9:10:12:15), so only one of the pitches given is a bit flat in relation to the others. —Tamfang (talk) 04:53, 10 March 2009 (UTC)