"Self tuning piano"

[Don A. Gilmore]

----- Original Message ----- 
From: Robin Stevens
To: Pianotech
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2003 12:16 AM
Subject: "Self tuning piano"

>Hi Don.
>Thanks a lot for getting back to me. I have followed your invention ever
since I noticed the article some >where or another.
>I am a self employed tuner in South Australia, and have been been in the
trade for 45 years. I have always >remained open to new advances and
techniques.
>Apart from my tuning and restoration commitments I am the editor of our
Guilds small newsletter (I post out >28 copies). So if you don't mind, could
I print what you sent me? or would you like something different?
>This coming year I am the convener of the Australasian bi-annual National
convention.
>Do you do presentations at conventions about your invention?. It would be
great if somehow we could get >you over (or should I say down under!) for
our convention.

I have done presentations including one for the Thomas Edison Society in Ft.
Myers, Florida.  Austrailia is a pretty long trip though!  I did a radio
interview in Australia over the phone a few months ago about the self-tuner.
It was a station in Melbourne I believe, but I forget which one.

>Most of the tuners like myself are very interested in what you are trying
to accomplish, and feel it is no >threat what so ever.

That's good.  I certainly never intended to alienate you guys.  I'm a
pianist myself.

>Some of the questions that come to mind for me are:
>Will you be aiming to get your product into one brand only?

No.  The plan is to market it in Story & Clark piano for a year or so, then
sublicense the technology to all other piano manufacturers.  That is one of
the main reasons I went with QRS.  They already have a working,
non-competitive relation with every piano manufacturer in the world, since
they install their player systems all the time.

>Will the piano be at A440, given the fact that a cooling or heating process
is needed to put the piano in >tune?
>What tuning configuration will you apply so that the piano is nicely in
tune?
>I use the cyber-tuner program and are aware that good sampling of the
partials is essential to get it right.

It will be tuned by hand, by a real tech and this tuning will be stored.
There is no tuning algorithm at all.  It just sort of "records" the tuning
and repeats it from then on.

>I could ask some more questions, but hopefully I can keep in touch, and up
to date with your progress.
>Best regards
>Robin Stevens
>PS the weather her now is 37 degrees C (100.4)  4.42 PM. Just going to
crack a cold beer!! Best xmas >wishes for you and your family.

Ooh, I hate you!  ;-)  It's -4 C here in Kansas City.  Enjoy your beer and
have a Merry Christmas yourself.  I'll be hoisting one as well tonight.

Don A. Gilmore
Mechanical Engineer
Kansas City