A Fork/C Fork

[Dave Nereson]

----- Original Message -----
From: Joseph Garrett <joegarrett@earthlink.net>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, April 28, 2002 4:43 PM
Subject: A Fork/C Fork


> Hehe, you guys are running true to form! I put that out there to see what
> you'd do with it. I personally use an A fork, (when I have a need to), and
> think it is the more appropriate fork to use IMHO. I tried to convert Ken
> Serviss of The Piano Hospital fame, for many years. He finally changed.
Now
> I'm here to tell you, the quality of his tunings would still be good if he
> used a dial tone. <G> For those who are experienced, I don't think it
makes
> one wit of difference. However, for the newbies, out there, it would be
nice
> if they would start with the easier fork, IMHO. Hence, the second reason
why
> I posted that. Hope you all had a good time with it. <G>
> Best Regards,
> Joe Garrett, RPT, (Oregon)

    The dial tone here in Denver consists of the the Major third F4 and A4.
When holding the receiver right up to the mic on the SAT,  F4 does read 11
cents sharp, but A4 reads only 1.8 cents flat of A=440.  Ringing as a third,
however, I admit it would be hard to use in tuning.
    I learned to tune with a C fork, setting a temperament between middle C
and the C below.  The reason the teacher used this was because the thirds
(and sixths) beat slower and it was easier for beginners to count the beats
per second.  We tuned middle C to the fork, then the C below to a very
slightly widened octave, then set three contiguous thirds to a 5 - 7- 9
ratio:  C3 - E3 to beat about 5 bps, then E3 - G# to about 7 bps, and G# to
C4 would come out about 9 bps.  The main drawback was that on shorter
pianos, the "temperament octave" was across the bass/treble break.  But it
gave us practice in compromising and trying for a smooth progression of beat
rates.
    There are tuning fork sets consisting of all the notes from C4 to C5.
Theoretically we should be able to take any one of those forks besides C or
A, and set a temperament and have the A come out purdy durn close to
440.  --David Nereson, RPT, Denver