Tuning Devices for learning (was Tuning Devices)

[Chris Gregg]

Unfortunately I have to disagree with the use of an ETD for learning how to 
tune aurally.  As a person who has helped many students with aural tuning 
skills, I insist that at least the time they spend with me will not include 
an ETD.  The reason is that all the checks that you need for a tuning are 
available within the piano, and using an ETD to check the the work can be 
demoralizing.  Find a good aural tuner that can affirm what you are 
doing.  Your aural tuning skills will improve by leaps and bounds.


Chris Gregg.  RPT

  At 08:21 PM 5/28/2004, you wrote:
>I agree with Mark AND David.  I'm a student, two months with a hammer,
>and have just started using an ETD to test my practice.  The immediate,
>non-subjective feedback was just what I need at this point.
>
>I want to be a rock-solid aural tuner before I start tuning for pay with
>an ETD.  But since I live out in the "boonies", it's it difficult to get
>feedback.  (I have an RPT coaching me, but he's an hour away and I work
>a full time "day" job.)
>
>But being the "perfectionist" that I am, I wanted to know "now" how I'm
>doing.
>
>I do agree with David.  When I tried to "watch" my tuning, it made me
>not listen as well.  I don't want to have that crutch.  So I don't keep
>the ETD in view when I'm practicing.  But after I'm done with my
>practice session, I check my work.  Then I check it the next day to see
>if the pin held.  That way I have an idea if I'm setting the pin
>correctly.
>
>I'm sure David wasn't referring to using an ETD in this context when he
>made his comments.  But I had to respond.
>
>And, since this is my first "post" after lurking for awhile, I just want
>to say that you guys are great teachers!
>
>Joe Freeman
>Florida Student
>Future Associate Member (any day now)
>
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On
>Behalf Of Mark Davidson
>Sent: Friday, May 28, 2004 9:02 PM
>To: Pianotech
>Subject: Tuning Devices for learning (was Tuning Devices)
>
>David Nereson wrote:
> >I recommend learning to tune FIRST BY EAR
> >ALONE, then consider an electronic tuning
> >aid after you know what you're doing.
> >Otherwise the chances of its becoming a
> >crutch and your not developing your ear are
> >far greater, in my opinion.
>
>Well, I don't want to get into the argument about who is
>a "real" tuner and who isn't, but I think ETDs are a
>fantastic learning tool when used thoughtfully and judiciously.
>
>I too am in the process of learning to tune, and I consider
>the ETD to be an invaluable feedback tool.  Yes, I suppose
>there could be a risk of coming to rely on it too much, but
>it can help learning in many ways.
>
>1. checking stability.  You can easily measure the effect of
>test blows on notes you have tuned, or come back in a day
>or week and check on them and quickly get an accurate
>measure of the changes.  Very helpful while learning to
>set pins.  When you come back the next day and everything
>has dropped 2 cents and the humidity hasn't changed, then
>you know you haven't got it yet :(
>
>2. tuning to a fork.  Easily compare your fork to the string
>after tuning it by ear to see how much error there is.
>
>3. comparing pitches/partials.  After tuning two partials
>together by ear, you can precisely measure the frequencies
>to see how close you got them.  This kind of instant
>feedback is very helpful for learning to tune unisons and
>octaves, or other pure intervals.
>
>4. checking accuracy of temperament.  Some ETDs
>measure beats, but you can calculate these too from
>the frequencies of the partials.
>
>Other suggestions?
>
>The key of course is that you use the ETD to check
>your work AFTER doing it by ear. But frankly I
>can't think of a better or quicker way to check
>some of these things when starting out, and I find
>the instant feedback very helpful.
>
>If you have a PC (preferably laptop) then Tunelab 97 is
>cheap and more than  adequate for all the above tasks.
>
>The other real key is to find a good teacher...
>
>-Mark Davidson
>
>so umm, what is Proposition 12 anyway? or do I
>have to learn the secret handshake first to find out...
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>
>
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