ETD vs Aural

[Jim]

Hi Avery:

Up to now a person who primarily uses and ETD is required to tune aurally
only in the mid-range. From the beginning of the present tuning testing
program, it was felt that those using ETDs should be able to demonstrate
some ability in tuning aurally just in case something went wrong with their
equipment. At least they would be able to recognize if the piano did not
sound right. The purpose was not to force all tuners to tune aurally. We
felt that being able to demonstrate aural skills in the midrange was
sufficient insurance that the person could hear.

The proposed change just makes the test uniform for everyone in that the
aural portion of the test comes first.  In the past, the ETD user was
required to tune the whole range first and then repeat the midrange area
aurally. This required more time to be scheduled for ETD users. Now it
can all be done in the same amount of time, thus simplifying scheduling,
and unifying the test.

Jim Coleman, Sr, advisor to ETSC

On Fri, 16 May 1997, Avery Todd wrote:

> Jim,
>
>    What is the difference in Part 1 now compared to what you mention below?
>    Does this mean that an ETD tuner wouldn't have to tune treble or bass
> octaves aurally at all on the test? If this is passed, wouldn't this be an
> unfair evaluation of one's aural skills compared to what an aural tuner has
>
> to do to pass?
>    How can one evaluate his/her VTD tuning without those aural skills? Or
> am I completely missing something here?
>
> Avery
>
> SNIP
>
> > The proposed language follows:
> >a. All candidates must take part 1, tuning aurally only, and receive scores
> >in pitch, temperment and midrange.
> >b. Following evaluation of part 1 scores, candidates may then proceed to part
> >2, tuning the rest of the piano by any aural or electronic method (except
> >that all candidates must tune unisions aurally), and receiving scores in
> >bass, treble, high treble, stability and unisons sections.
> >-----
> >ETS comments on their reasoning:
> >The committee feels it is important that the tuning exams are equal for
> >everyone.  More members are requesting the electronic tuning exam and it
> >takes more of the examiners time to give this exam presently.  This is a good
> >opportunity to make our aural and electronic exams more unified.
> >-----
> > In my opinion the committee's comment/reasoning is very sound in that it
> >recognizes the similarities of both methods, and recognizes the differences
> >in both methods without showing preference for either.  The committee also is
> >saying that both methods are viable, which we already know, Huh ?
> >Just a different slant on the ETD vs Aural thread that I felt you would be
> >interested in seeing.
> >Jim Bryant (FL)
>
> _____________________________________
> Avery Todd
> Moores School of Music
> University of Houston
> Houston, TX 77204-4893
> 713-743-3226
> atodd@uh.edu
> http://www.uh.edu/music/
> _____________________________________
>
>
>