Sort of off topic, but the best line I've heard regarding tuning was from one of the guys in Three on a String, who asked his fellow band members, "Do you want to get in tune, or just play regular"?

I personally think standard A-440 is best, at least here in the U.S. I realize variations are neededfor some instruments. But I once met an exuberant fellow who always tuned his 12 string 1/2 step below standard, and didn't even carry a capo to get in line with everyone else. The key of "E Flatbreads are delicious" is still a real pain in the ass to me on guitar.

It's more difficult in real performance. Keeping everything sounding good is the primary thing, and Annie's flute tends to change pitch slightly as it warms up. Also, David changes guitar tunings sometimes five or six times per gig. We have to plan our sets on the guitar tunings, and save the string breakers for last.

By the end of our night, we have degenerated to whatever the hell tuning we can find that sounds good. Fortunately, I'm usually playing bass through all of this.

Our band is named D&A, (shameful promotion, I know). And we are available for criminal investigations, weddings, funerals, bris, artsy-fartsy things and drunken tractor pulls. We prefer to stay close to home here in southern Colorado. But we'd go just about anywhere if well tempted. Even Yorkshire. CD is upcoming. What an absolute gas. BlueJay.