piano_tunertx@yahoo.com writes: > how do I determine if the problem is the F's or > the C#? Assuming good F and A octaves, the ratios will tell you. For instance: If C#4 is too high, there will be a large increase in speed between F3-A3 and A3-C#4, AND A3-C#4/C#4-F4 will be too much the same; F4-A4 will then be a big jump. If (your octaves are good and) the F's are high, F3-A3 will be slow RELATIVE to A3-C#4, C#4-F4 will be fast, and it will be too much the same as F4-A4. If both are too high, there will be a sudden slowdown at F4-A4. Much of this can be done by the "feel" of the speed of the intervals. The slow, usually accepted, reliable way to count the 4:5 ratio is to listen to the lower interval go "wah-wah-wah-wah" and establish a beat with your hand every fourth wah, then play the contiguous third while keeping the beat steady, and listening for "wah-wah-wah-wah-wah." However, you can get surprisingly close by playing the contiguous thirds in rapid succession (faster than you can count beats) and just listening for their "color" change from one to the next. I am not talking about very advanced tuners; every one can learn this. Playing the thirds in rapid succession causes a slow or fast one to stick out. Bob Davis Stockton, CA
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