Tuning forks

[Billbrpt@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 10/30/99 6:55:37 AM Pacific Daylight Time, 
jtanner@mozart.music.sc.edu (Jeff Tanner) writes:

<< The situation I work in doesn't require me to set the A within the
 parameters the exam requires. >>

There is a reason why the tolerance for the pitch score on the PTG RPT Exam 
is so small.  It is assumed as you say in your post that you often tune 
slightly off standard pitch because of circumstantial reasons.  But the Exam 
is one place where you are required to prove, as Richard Brekne rightfully 
says, that you can match your pitch to the fork with reasonable accuracy.  
The PTG RPT Exam is not set up nor trying to get involved with proving that 
electronic devices are better or more accurate than tuning forks.

Being able to make a dead on unison with the fork and a 17th test that also 
matches is all that it takes.  You do have a full cent that you can be off 
with no penalty whatsoever.  All you need to do is see that your fork is 
accurate, the way you usually use it.  If that means that you like to leave 
it on the plate, then have it checked under those circumstances.

I never used anything other than a $3.00 tuning fork that you can buy at the 
counter of any music store.  Anytime I either took the exam or did a trial 
run of the procedure for practice, I always scored within tolerance at 100%.  
Just yesterday, coincidentally, a customer questioned the accuracy of my SAT. 
 He thought that it should match a tuning fork.  This internal calibration to 
a quartz crystal jazz just didn't satisfy him.  So, I pulled out my $3.00 
tuning fork, turned on the SAT, struck the fork and I saw the four lights 
holding dead still.  I said, "This indicates that my electronic tuner is dead 
on with the fork".  That was good enough for him.

So, if I may, please let me advise you not to worry about this at all.  Just 
keep doing what you are doing.  Try to verify your fork's accuracy at some 
point before the Exam.  When you have the opportunity, practice matching your 
pitch as precisely as you can.  The Examiners will test the accuracy of your 
fork to make sure you will not have a problem.

If your pitch score is at passing level, you will proceed with the Exam.  
Regardless of whatever small discrepancy there is between your pitch and the 
"Master" Tuning, (I like Kent Swaffords idea of renaming this a "Reference" 
Tuning), your exam results are automatically shifted to match the pitch.  So, 
even if, for example you barely passed the pitch phase at 80 but you tuned a 
perfect Temperament and Midrange, your scores will reflect that.  Your pitch 
score only matters in that column alone and has no effect whatsoever on the 
rest of your Exam.

Have courage,

Bill Bremmer RPT
Madison, Wisconsin