With all this talk about the difference between aural and ETD, I want to put in my 2 cents worth. Some feel the ETD is better, and visa versa, when it comes to the actual tuning of the piano. I am not going debate either one, because for me there are two totally different reasons I use my SATIII. The first is the reduction of stress. I have related this story before, but I want to say it again. Tuning during the Christams Holidays used to be a very hectic time for me, between the work, church, family, etc. But the year I first used my SAT, (five years ago), I found the stress of tuning was gone. No longer did I have to concentrate on getting every interval of the temperament exactly right. No longer did I have to listen to beats and intervals of the upper and lower octaves compounded by the inharmonicity of cheap spinets. The entrie process of tuning a piano became stress free. I actually enjoyed Christmas that year. This is something that cannot be measured. This is a feeling that can only be experienced. The second reason I use my SAT III is the same reason doctors are using MRI's. I just heard on Good Morning America hnow the MRI's are getting better and better, to the point, according to Dr. Tim Johnson, where in 5 years, the MRI's are going to replace invasive operations. The ETD is like an MRI. It allows you to accurately measure the piano's pitch, and make a very accurate adjustment to your tuning. No more guess work, no more trying to listining to invervals compounded by inharmonicity. The ETD takes the guess work out of tuning. But like the MRI, the ETD doens't do a bit of good if the "Ddoctor" doesn't know how to work the machine properly, or know what to listen to in the first place. It's kind of lie a spell check. The computer will only give you the correct spelling if you give it a choice. We attend seminars to learn new and better ways to do our job. ETD's are the latest in technology to help us do a better job. For those of you who are reluctant to get one because you think you are a better tuner, I think you're only kidding yourself. Not only will an ETD will make you a better tuner, it will take the stress out of your work. Happy New Year. Wim PS. Sorry if there are any spellos. I am at my son's computer in Colorado, and I can't find the spell check.
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