Korg tuning: (was RE: curiosity about a method of temperament tuning)

Ron Koval drwoodwind@hotmail.com
Tue, 27 Nov 2001 15:26:48


Hi all

I'm very familiar with the Korg tuners, having tried just about all of them 
in my early days, all the way up to their m-1200.

Stephen, what you need to do is dig out the instructions that came with your 
tuner and turn to the specifications page.  What is the accuracy?  The most 
expensive Korg is only accurate to +/- 1 cents, probably the one you are 
using is closer to +/- 3 cents.  To get equal temperament you really need to 
be in the range of +/- 0.3 cents; otherwise, there will be some uneveness to 
your thirds.  Then there is the precision; the LED or LCD screens can't show 
the fine divisions 'between the lines' to get close to a REAL equal 
temperament.

Also, you are using the fundamental pitch (unless you are comparing 
partials) to tune; not always the best choice for the temperament area.  
And... (yeah, there's more) you are tuning an octave without stretch as a 
foundation for tuning the rest of the piano.

So... can it be done?  Sure, but realize that the Korg will only get you 
CLOSE to the proper pitch, you will still need to balance out the 3rds 
before going on, and check the octave.  However, it is an inexpensive tool 
to help with your hammer technique.  Can you get the pitch to be 'dead 
center'?  Does it stay there after a few 'firm' test blows?  After you bring 
the other two strings up to pitch is it still dead on?  All these things 
will help you progress with your tuning skills.

good luck!

Ron Koval

_________________________________________________________________
Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com/intl.asp



This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC