Harpsichord tuning

[Avery]

Aart,

If the harpsichord is a two manual with (maybe) a four foot register, 
one can shift it back and forth to be
A-440 or A-415. Depends on the harpsichord. The two I've seen are that way.

At 09:52 AM 2/15/2006, you wrote:
>Good morning Avery and to All,
>
>Many Thanks to you ALL.  I truly appreciate your time and help.
>
>Avery, could you please explain the adjustable Keyboard procedure?
>
>Is it a knee lever or foot pedal that shifts the Keyboard and what 
>is its function?

No harpsichords I've seen are that way. Fortepianos are. One is a 
sustain & the other is a
"muting" effect.

>Pitch shift or dampening?

Not on a harpsichord.

Avery


>Thanks,
>
>Aart
>
>PS  any company recommendations for string purchase for this instrument.
>
>
>On Feb 14, 2006, at 10:59 PM, Avery wrote:
>
>>Aart,
>>
>>No, your regular tuning hammer will not fit! However, I've done a 
>>lot of harpsichord tunings and have yet to know of one that didn't 
>>have a tuning hammer that came with it. Now, whether it's there or 
>>not when you get there to tune it is another story! :-) I ALWAYS 
>>make sure first!
>>
>>There's also two possibilities of tuning pins. One is the one which 
>>is similar to a regular piano tuning pin, except smaller! (Which I 
>>MUCH prefer!) The other is a rectangular type which needs a special 
>>tuning lever. We have one of those at the university and I DON'T like it!
>>
>>Thankfully, our Fortepiano reproduction has the "regular" tuning 
>>pin. Much easier to tune. IMO.
>>
>>BTW, make sure you know what pitch level they want (415 or 440). 
>>And what temperament? Is it an "adjustable" keyboard? Do you know 
>>how to shift it, if necessary?
>>
>>Tuning a harpsichord "can" be much more complicated than tuning a 
>>"normal" piano! :-)
>>
>>Avery
>>
>>At 07:51 PM 2/14/2006, you wrote:
>>>Hello All.
>>>
>>>I received a call to tune a Harpsichord (dual manual keyboard 
>>>Sperrhake Passau made in Germany).
>>>
>>>My First, will my tuning hammer fit the pins? if not I'll order 
>>>the correct tip or hammer.
>>>
>>>Any advice is greatly appreciated and thanks to ALL who responded 
>>>to my post regarding  Bluthner tunings.
>>>
>>>Thanks,
>>>
>>>Aart
>>>
>>>Aart in America Piano Services
>>>Hoboken, N.J.  07030
>>>201 406 2594
>>>aartinamerica@optonline.net
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