Notes 85-86-87-88

[Jim]

Dear Frank:

You make a very good point when you say: " The piano seems to decide
what the ear will like.  Why?"

I could add that even the voicing determines how the tuning should be.
If the center section of a piano is very bright (lots of high partial
content), its very sharp 8th 12th and 16th partials will demand sharper
tuning of the high treble. If the center of the piano has stronger lower
partials, then the weaker higher partials will not be crying out for
satisfaction in the tuning of the high treble.

Jim Coleman, Sr.


On Sat, 12 Apr 1997, Frank Weston wrote:

> I tune by ear, and recently with reference to a VTD.  My question:
>
> In the treble, length and size of string is roughly equivalent for most
> pianos.  Why do some sound right with lots of stretch in the high
> octave, and some need little at all.  For example:
>
> I have a very good tuning on a Steinway O with about 8 cents stretch at
> C8.  I also have a very good tuning on an A II with almost 35 cents at
> C8.  These are somewhat similar pianos, and to my ear, both of these
> pianos sound "right", yet they are both tuned quite differently.  Both
> of these tunings have been complimented by some pretty serious
> professional musicians (not patting myself on the back, just trying to
> make a point).  What gives?
>
> The idea that the ear likes sharper tones as pitch increases does not
> jibe with experience.  The piano seems to decide what the ear will
> like.  Why?
>
>
> Wondering - Frank Weston
>