why does a string go out of tune?

Erwinspiano@aol.com Erwinspiano@aol.com
Sat, 10 Apr 2004 21:18:49 EDT


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   Wim
   I've read your post & I feel your pain but whenever I experience unison 
instability myself I almost always except the fact that a pin or 2 didn't quite 
get set right. Especially if this is a piano I know well. My Dad taught me to 
use firm blows & I still do but as I got older I found that my excess pounding 
was a substitute for more accurate pin technique. As someone said 
overpounding can cause instability when coupled with a pin not quite set in equilibrium. 
   I know there are other factors like the pins leaning against the plate, 
temp & humidity but the tunings of the best tuners I know all exhibit a clean 
unisons that stay trademark & a wounded pride when instability shows up during a 
concert. 
   Dale
OK, what exactly is happening when a string goes out of tune. I know about 
climatic changes that effect the soundboard. This causes the who piano, or at 
least whole sections to go out of tune. I can accept that. But I pride myself on 
setting the string and the pin. I am a pounder. On new pianos, (at least new 
to me), and especially concert instruments. I beat the daylights out the notes 
to get them to stabilize. But there are still strings that go out. That is 
why we tune concert instruments numerous times, with strings still going out. 

I tune a D for a church once a month. I pound until my fingers hurt but I 
leave the string with the lights standing absolutely still. But every time I tune 
it, the piano is "in tune" in that it hasn't changed pitch over all, but 
there are at least 2 dozen strings that have "slipped." They are 2 or 3 cents off. 
I'm not talking notes, I am talking string. The right string of one note is 3 
cents low, or the left string of another note is 2 cents flat. 

Why is that? Why do just these strings go out, and not the other ones? Am I 
still not pounding hard enough, or is the combination of slight variations in 
temperature, combined with strings that maybe weren't set right, causing this? 
Inquiring minds want to know.

Wim
Willem Blees, RPT
Piano Technician
School of Music
University of 


Erwins Pianos Restorations 
4721 Parker Rd.
Modesto, Ca 95357
209-577-8397
Rebuilt Steinway , Mason &Hamlin Sales
www.Erwinspiano.com

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