Smith-Coleman/QUESTION

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi Joe:

You asked below if the pure 5th tuning and Virgils method of tuning a
single string sharp first and then seeing it lower as the unisons are 
tuned in. My answer is NO. Whe Virgil gets thru, he has tempered 5ths.
When I get through I have pure 5ths.

The effect of unisons changing as the 2nd and 3rd strings are pulled in
a a phenonemon which applies more to the 5th and 6th octaves than in the
temperament octave according to measurements which I have taken. Even in
that range, on some notes the change is almost negligible.

Jim Coleman, Sr.


On Sat, 7 Aug 1999, Joe & Penny Goss wrote:

> List,
> Since returning from the KC convention I have been applying the method that
> Vergil Smith
> presented in his tuning class on Sunday morning.
> This was the only class that time allowed me to attend but it was/is a
> turning point in my tunings.
> The one thing that stands out the most from the class was the idea of
> tuning the first note of a unison (three strings ) slightly sharp. Then
> when the second string is tuned the pitch of both strings will be flatter.
> Tuning the third string to either string ( they are sharp when played solo)
> will result in the tri-unison being on pitch.
> The pianos that I have used this method on have turned out great.
> My question comes from wondering as I am tuning. The fifth seems to be pure
> when the first note is tuned ready to do the unison with the octave
> slightly wide. Is this what Dr Coleman is using to establish his pure fifth
> tunings. Are the two related?
> Joe Goss
>