[pianotech] Stretch in tuning

[Ron Nossaman]

On 5/26/2012 9:09 AM, David Boyce wrote:

> Another of your "bons mots" was "No tuning is ever finished, just left
> behind", which you modestly credited to someone else.

I still don't think that was me, but it's certainly true.


> I've never attempted to use an ETD for the whole compass. I use it for
> the temperament, and maybe if I am struggling with a "killer octave"
> (but generally I think I manage that by ear). Like you, I thought in
> early days that inharmonicity would ensure that tuning octaves beatless
> meant the right stretch automatically. But nothing is ever simple!

No, not the "right" stretch. That was never addressed in those passing 
mentions of stretching. Pure octaves do guarantee stretch, if not the 
ideal. That was what confused me.


> The Steinway guy's octave with eight beats per second at C7 is certainly
> interesting. It might sound nice aqnd bright at the end of an arpeggio,
> but I can't think that high chords would've been easy on the ear.

Yep - ouch!
Ron N