just one rubber mute, was over-all tuning discussions, was How we hear

[Phil Bondi]

David Andersen wrote:

>Great question; depends on the piano and how close to pitch it is;
>  
>
so..the closer to A=440 the piano is at determines...what?

>On some pianos, tuning one string, then pulling the other two to it will
>cause a significant pitch change to the unison in that section, or any
>section. 
>
This is my experience also..but this is part of the physics of our 
profession..no?

> The biggest "movement factor" usually occurs in the tenor, the
>first steel string to where the capo starts, but the phenomenon occurs all
>over the piano. 
>
Is it moving sharp in the low tenor section?

> You know, the "Virgil Smith" phenomenon, where a string
>WILL move when you bring the two other strings of the unison in tune with
>it.
>  
>
It's been my experience, especially in the killer octave section, that 
the strings will run flat when all 3 are in tune. Let me explain further:

When tuning aurally, I set a 2-octave temperament, from C3 to C5 based 
on the F-F Temperament. From there I tune down to A0 - then come back to 
the treble section and tune to C8. Historically, in the 6th octave, 
usually around F6, is where I really start to notice the phenomenon of 
all 3 strings running flat when they are in tune. This goes on up to, 
usually D7, and then from there, the strings stay in place up to C8. 
Alot of times I notice that when I get to F-G7, this section is now 
sharp and I find myself actually lowering these string as opposed to 
raising them. Again, isn't this part of the physics of our profession?

When tuning with a ETD, I start from A0 and go all the way up to C8. 
When I go back to check, I usually find that the low tenor section, 
sometimes into the upper part of the bass bridge(bi-tri chords), running 
sharp from where it was set at initially.

I admit there are different parameters to consider when tuning aurally 
vs. ETD..like when to offset if the piano is flat..how much to offset 
and, again, where to start that. But for this discussion, I will keep 
the questions strictly on an aural tuning level.

Phil Bondi(Fl)