Tuning any piano

[Andrew Anderson]

Yes... but when they are brand-new out of the box for the first few  
tunings there is a lot to grump about.  Barely moving a cent or so is  
for fine tunings and you get there eventually but that is after the  
foot of that torsionally willing pin finally gets close to where it  
should be.  You can pull one of those Asian pianos to pitch by  
twisting the pin only to have it relax and get terribly out of tune  
while you are still there.  On a new piano I'll generally rub the  
strings with a rag and check to see if the tuning held.  Alternately  
actuate the damper pedal and quickly test every note (many at a time)  
and you get immediate feedback on you pin-setting prowess.

I too utilize a Verituner and on a chinese <piano> I am glad to have  
it.  Getting the pins set close to pitch in those tight pin-blocks can  
be quite challenging.

Andrew Anderson

On Jul 13, 2008, at 5:58 AM, andre oorebeek wrote:

>
> On Jul 13, 2008, at 5:19 AM, Andrew Anderson wrote:
>
>> Let me revisit that pounding part.  I realize I started out that  
>> way but have migrated towards pulling up to pitch and then relaxing  
>> the pin.  I do generally have to test more firmly on Asian pianos  
>> but have experienced the problem of pitch creeping up again and  
>> attributed it to pounding.  So, to a much lesser degree.
>>
>> Andrew
>
>
> And then of course there 's the technique of hardly moving a tuning  
> at all.
> That's the beauty of using a tuning device : you can see what you're  
> doing.
> When I started using my tuning box (now a handsome pocket thing), I  
> was actually shocked by what I saw.
> I have made it my policy to at least try not to move more than just  
> 1, 2 or 3 cents.
> It requires an incredible concentration of muscle control on the  
> square mm, so to speak, but it sure helps.
> It becomes a kind of zen thing. With your mind you force the muscle  
> power in your whole body to concentrate on that tuning pin and you  
> will find out that it is possible to refine your tuning technique by  
> hardly moving the tuning pin, which then makes a tuning extremely  
> stable. That, combined with the right blow will do any trick, unless  
> the piano is just a sick piano.
> Pounding alone is not enough.
>
> If the general conditions are right, it is possible to really master  
> any instrument, but unfortunately, it always requires a lot of time  
> and experience.
>
>
> friendly greetings
> from
> André Oorebeek
>
> Antoni van Leeuwenhoekweg 15
> 1401 VW Bussum
> the Netherlands
>
> tel :   0031 - 35 6975840
> gsm : 0031 - 652388008
>
> concertpianoservice at planet.nl
> www.concertpianoservice.nl
>
> "where music is,
> no harm can be"
>
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