para-inharmonicity and tuning curves

[Robert Scott]

Jim Coleman, Sr. wrote:

>In anticipation of your next question, when you plot for, 3rd, 5th,
>6th, and 7th partials, you must make a correction for equal temperament
>being the source of the readings. Here are the readings taken with
>an electronic tuning machine:
>
>3rd partial   5th partial   6th partial   7th partial
>
>5.9          -4.6           13.6         -15.4
>
>Now if you plot these numbers on the same graph, they will be all over 
>the place. They must be adjusted in relation to harmonic partials
>instead of equal temperament readings. From the 3rd partial subtract
>1.95, from the 5th partial add 13.687, from the 6th partial subtract
>1.95 (same as 3rd partial), from the 7th partial, add 31.?? 

  Let's be clear on one thing.  The only reason that these "odd-ball"
partials require special handling when measuring inharmonicity is
that you are using the SAT.  Other tuning devices (RCT and TuneLab)
measure inharmonicity directly and not by switching to an
equal-tempered note that is close to the desired partial.  For
these electronic tuning machines, no special adjustment is
necessary to compensate for equal temperament being the source
of the readings because it is not.

-Bob Scott
 Ann Arbor, Michigan