Fairchild Method making FAC tuning

[John M. Formsma]

Patrick and others,

<<Well, of course I tune the FAC notes -- but (usually) not until after
I calculate the FAC values and have the SAT II generate a tuning.
IF the pitch raise is significant I'll measure another set after the
1st tuning pass. The values may change, with the increased pressure
on the soundboard, and increased tension of the notes being
remeasured.>>

Yes, the numbers change after a pitch raise, but would not the recalculated
tuning result in the same tuning, regardless of when the nubmers are
obtained? My guess, which is completely a guess, is that second FAC numbers
will be a ratio of the first FAC numbers, resulting in the same tuning when
calculated. Although not  a scientific study, I did observe that a section
of the recalculated tuning for a particular piano was the same after the
pitch raise. The way I did this was simple. I stored FAC numbers before and
after a pitch raise. I stored the pitch raise tuning in page 1 and the
recalculated tuning in page 2. While tuning after the pitch raise in page 2,
I compared several treble notes by switching back and forth from page 2 to
page 1. The numbers were the same. Again, this is certainly not scientific,
especially since it was only observed over the span of an octave. I would
love to know for sure if the tuning is the same regardless of when the FAC
numbers are obtained. Since I do more aural tunings, it is not one of those
things that I just *have* to know before I assume room temperature, but it
would still be good knowledge to have. :-)

John Formsma
Blue Mountain, MS

mailto:jformsma@dixie-net.com