Tuning shorthand

[rchayden1@juno.com]

I love demonstrating partials to kids and Older kids on a fine tuned
piano.

First I explain what sympathetic vibration is. . . . then ...

By gently depressing a key without its sounding, such as C2, ( lifting
the damper), then striking sharp staccato notes of its various partials,
therefore getting the C2 string to vibrate by itself in lovely
discernable harmony, we show the rich complexity of musical sound.

Of course you can do the opposite as well.  Hold down a partial, and
strike the C2 staccato, now we've set the upper string in motion.  You
can see the lights turn on instantly.  

This is one of the things we're up to, making these incredible
instruments as rich as possible by aligning all these partials carefully
and musically.

Roger Hayden, RPT,  BS Music Ed.