Cracking the unisons

[Alan Barnard]

Yes, David, that is exactly the way I understood Virgil in his class in
Kansas City. I think a lot of us have been "tweaking" string pairs this way
for years, but "cracking the unison" is Mr. Smith's phrase and he knows how
to tune a piano.

Alan Barnard
Salem, Missouri


> [Original Message]
> From: David Andersen <david@davidandersenpianos.com>
> To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Date: 01/06/2006 12:44:48 AM
> Subject: Re: Cracking the unisons
>
> > I'm hoping someone will take a stab at a detailed
> > definition of "Cracking The Unisons".
>
> I'll take a crack at it....
> > 
> > I've checked the archives, and lots of people mention
> > Virgil Smith's technique, some claim to use it, only a
> > few have partially described it, and I suspect I'm
> > still not getting it.
> >   
> > As I understand it:  If a three-string unison is found
> > to be slightly flat or sharp compared to a test
> > interval or two, you adjust the first string without
> > muting the other two, then adjust the remaining
> > strings to clean up the unison.
>
> Close, no cigar.  You do use a mute.  Not using one would be wacky, and
> counterproductive.  Say you're setting the temperament---and this is
> assuming you tune all 3 strings of a unison as you go, no felt strip---and
> you get done, and you're playing through it, and the top note of the
> temperament octave seems a little flat to you.  When you make your checks,
> you confirm that it is, in fact a hair flat. Work with 2 of the 3 strings:
> mute the left hand string, put your lever on the pin of the middle string,
> And "crack" the 2 string, hopefully perfect unison by raising the pitch of
> the middle string slightly---meaning just a teeny bit---just a litle
smear,
> a little phasing, no beat speed at all. Then pull the right string up to
it,
> and check it with your checks.  If it feels/sounds good, and checks
out,take
> the mute out and pull up the left string, then check again. Bingo.
>
> As you practice, you get quicker and quicker at this, and your tunings
take
> on a greater and greater level of precision, which mean they sound better.
>
> IMO, mastering this skill is crucial for high-end work, really fine
tuning.
>
> Good luck, Greg. Keep on working, trust your body.
>
> David Andersen
> Malibu CA
>
> P.S. If you can get hold of a November 2005 Journal, I have an article in
it
> about open-string tuning which describes the process.
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives