sävelasetta

Sävelasetta is a Finnish term that refers to a device or instrument used to produce or provide a musical pitch for tuning, practice, or reference in musical contexts. The word combines sävel (tone, pitch) with asetta (device, implement), signaling its function as a tool for obtaining a specific sound height.

Historically, sävelasetta could describe a range of devices intended to generate a reference pitch. Common examples include tuning forks, pitch pipes, and mechanical or early electronic pitch generators. In contemporary usage, the term is more of a general label for any instrument or electronic device that offers a stable tonal reference, such as electronic tuners, smartphone apps, or MIDI-based pitch generators. These tools are often used in choir practice, instrumental tuning, and music education to establish a standard pitch (for example A=440 Hz or a designated C).

Forms and usage vary by context. In educational settings, sävelasetta may refer to a simple pitch reference used to teach pitch accuracy. In performance or recording environments, it can denote advanced electronic tuners or software that display exact pitch and tuning deviations. While the term is understood in Finnish, more specific terms such as viritysväline, virityslaite, or virityskäyttö are commonly used in modern technical or professional Finnish.

See also: tuning fork, pitch pipe, electronic tuner, viritysvälineet.