In a message dated 5/21/2000 1:06:02 AM, John F. wrote: <<<<4. Develop the habit of 'always' moving the pin/hammer FIRST in one direction, either sharp or flat, on all notes......>>>>JB <<"Are you talking about before the note is actually played? That is what it sounds like.">> John F. No, not at all...remember No.s 1 & 2? :-) "1. Don't hit a key without moving a pin. 2. Don't move a pin without having hit a key." What this will do is make us more efficient and economical in our movements. Usually the first movement should be to the sharp end but not always...for instance in a major pitch raise, and rusty strings, the first movement should be slightly flattening to 'break' the rust/corrosion bond between string and upper termination point/plate felt. The thing is to condition yourself as to which way you intend to go in the "normal" set of circumstances. If it ain't gonna work the piano will tell right quick like....but when it does work, and it will the majority of the time, it will take that decision away on each and every pin...thereby saving a mite on each pin-3 mites on each note- and a 'mite' on each of aprox 260 pins adds up to more than you think it will :-) <<<<5. Practice tuning bichords without using a mute.>>>>JB <<"You are talking about octaves, tuning down? With both sounding at once, but tuning only one?">> John F. Octaves primarily, say A2 to A3, etc....... and this on the first pass mainly. It is very good ear training and or refresher training as well as a time saver :-) Another good exercise is to tune trichord unisons unmuted.... Both of these exercises will make you listen to the important nodes while you learn to disregard the incidental partials/false beats, etc. Try it and let us know how it goes! Jim Bryant (FL)
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