hello,
I agree with Robin. The nicest unison is not the same as the one where
all three strings individually tested show the spinner stopped and blushing.
Improvements could be realized if Machines kept a record of the frequency of
each string in a tuning file. They could also record and store the transient
nature of the pitch so the tuner always reproduces at the same point in the
decay cycle. A further problem is that pitch varies according to how the note
is struck. The most prominent harmonics vary from note to note which dictates
which partial(s) should be chosen to match. Computers could be programmed to
make those compromises by measuring and studying each partials' intensity.
Futher compromises must be made since the strongest partial may not be the best
choice as there might be a whole group of others which can match together to
override the strongest. It may also be best if NO partials in the partial
ladder are an exact match but all dwelling in some nebulous zone of not quite
beating. I suspect the transient quality of piano pitch will vary at each
partial as well. All of this would take an awesome amount of computer power to
overcome. The human brain is still the best at this type of intuitive
compromise or blending the unison. There is more to tuning a unison than what
meets the eye or visual display.
-Mike Jorgensen
Robin Stevens wrote:
> I have been reading the digest for the last 6 months and I am amazed the
> amount of crap I am reading from the "learner Tuners" re tuning scopes Etc.
> Firstly I must state I am a self employed Piano Tuner of 42 years with a
> very good business and a vast amount of experience in the REAL WORLD.
> I am very much in favour of using Scopes Etc. BUT I must stress you can not
> base your tuning business on the results of viewing the results of a scope.
> I would like to list what I think is the order of importance
> 1. Practice tuning unisons by EAR until the three strings sound as one AND
> DO NOT proceed until this is achieved.
> 2 Learn the basic principles of setting the scale or Bearings or what ever
> you
> Yanks call the foundation of your tunings.
> Once that you are happy with your settings of the initial octave then
> practice just copying what you have set through the range of the piano.
> 3. Learn to be very aware by EAR of "not nice sounding intervals"
> At this stage of your learning you will be THAT FAR AHEAD of what the
> average customer can hear it will surprise you.
> I have tuned pianos orally for 30 years, but the last 12 years I have used
> a Yamaha PT100 for the following reasons.
> 1 All piano tuners loose their upper frequency range with age.
> 2 I tune 5 or six pianos a day and I find that using the scope where I
> only listen to one note at a time
> is less tiring on the ear.
> 3 Unless you master or have a basic feel for oral tuning you will for
> ever be in the control of the designers of these super scopes which have
> seemed to convince you that you need to upgrade at a frequency that would
> make Bill Gates envious.
> 4 Remember that the customer in the REAL WORLD is calling you for one
> of the following reasons.
> 1 They have just received the piano from Grandma (has not been
> tuned for the last 30 years)
> 2 they have just moved the piano from across the room ( told it
> must be tuned when moved)
> 3 Sounds terrible ( putting the trip to the Rubbish tip off for
> another year)
> 4 Note or notes not working ( If you are not confident re
> faulty or non playing notes start to get
> worried because this is the main reason for them calling
> you.
> 5 Lastly there is a very small group of piano owners who follow
> the Makers instructions and
> have them tuned regularly ( this group very well catered for
> by the established Tuners)
> Finally remember that all is not doom and gloom
> Remember what ever tuning result you present to your 1st or
> 100th customer,if you have the
> true love and devotion to this noble craft, your interest in
> the Customers piano will not fail to be
> noticed.
> Customer skills are far more important (and pay more) than any desire to
> tune to a accuracy of 10 decimal places
> Robin stevens
> South Australia
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