was accu-tuner now tuning question

[Dan Eumurian]

Doug,

I stretch the high treble beyond what my SAT II calls for. Not long
after I started using it in late 1996, someone at the School of Fine
Arts at the local college where I tune complained that the high treble
was flat. I had thought that my background as a trombone and violin
player (both variable-pitch instruments) caused me to favor a lot of
stretch. This may be true, since I tended to put in quite a bit of
stretch even back when I used a fork. A general guideline I use is to
increase the speed of clockwise rotation gradually as I progress beyond
the treble break, but never get to the point where the lights go from
red to dark. On one occasion I didn't like the harsh result in the piece
being performed, which had a lot of high octaves. 

I'd like to hear more from Ed Foote as to how much stretch to use for
particular styles, and from you and the rest of the list on stretch for
various types of pianos. I've heard that your "C" number should *never*
(well, hardly ever) be lower than you "A" number, and that raising your
"C" number will give you additional stretch in the high treble. 

Now I'll get out of the way and let people talk who may know more what
they're talking about. I for one am glad you brought up the questions,
though.

Dan Eumurian, RPT
1634 Barlow St. 
La Crosse (where we've gone from *perfect* spring days to *perfect*
summer days--along with some other days), WI 54601
(608) 78-TUNER
hope4you@centuryinter.net

Doug Hershberger wrote:
> 
> List and accu-tuner experts,
>    I have a question about  octave stretch when using the accu-tuner.In the
> area of the piano we generally use 4:2 octaves such as the mid range, I
> sometimes  will tune the octaves aurally and then check to see what the
> accu-tuner says about it using a FAC tuning on a page of memory. I am
> talking about a well scaled piano and a FAC that fits pretty well. What
> seems to be the case with me is that no matter how conservatively I try to
> make the octave stretch the accu-tuner still says the octave is sharp(I'm
> tuning the upper note to the lower) using the third tenth test listening to
> fourths and fifths as well. When I set the octave to the machine and then do
> the tests the octave sounds kind of flat or at the very most pure. I'm
> wondering if others have observed this or I have just been pushing the
> envelope of stretch so long that I'm used to this more aggressive style. It
> is most noticeable on low inharmonicity pianos. It seems like with a
> Steinway there is more room to customize the octaves and the accu-tuner
> seems to agree with that.
>    I would think the different octave choices on the Cyber-Tuner would be a
> great advantage to electronic tuning. Even though I have been tuning for
> years, the above question is kind of a beginner question and I believe in my
> own case that using an electronic device for tuning has hurt my aural skills
> alot. Does anyone have thoughts on these items?
> Doug Hershberger, RPT
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <A440A@AOL.COM>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 14, 1999 8:39 PM
> Subject: Re: Accutuner
> 
> >
Ed Foote wrote:...
> >      The octave stretch change is also very useful in tailoring tunings to
> > specific venues, ( compressed for studio recording work, and expanded for
> > jazz club etc.)

Ed, Please *etcpand* on the "etc." Sorry, couldn't resist. Dan