smooth delicate and creamy

[Don]

Hi Wayne,

Probably the big "mistake" is that you are trying to pitch correct too
much. Next time you tune a piano that is mere 4 cents flat (at A4)--take
the time to measure A3, A4, A5, and A6 after you have finished. I suspect
you will find they are not where you placed them originally.

Then next mistake may be that you are pounding too hard on the notes. Learn
to tune softly.

There are a few tuners who use two tuning levers and tune "both ways" from
the middle alternating from bass to treble on each extension of the
temperament octave.

Speed in tuning becomes important because pianos are very dynamic and react
to very small changes in both temperature and humidity very quickly.

Select the aural "test" for the various octave types that you hear best.
Don't get caught up in analysis paralysis.


At 07:33 AM 11/7/2003 -0800, you wrote:
>
>I'm a relatively new tuner. I've tuned about 500 pianos using an Accutuner
>and 99 44/100's percent of my customers like my tunings but I don't. I've
>been through a number of classes on aural tuning but I still can't put my
>finger on  why I think my tunings don't sound like I think they should.

>Does this make sense?  My tunings don't seem to be "smooth, creamy, delicate
>(they have a cold edge)".  I've heard concert tunings at Sacramento State
>College, done by our former guild president Peter Clark, and they are
>wonderful. They sound smooth, creamy and delicate.
>
>I've come to the conclusion that aural tuning is the only way to get those
>results. It's not just setting the temperament aurally but tuning from the
>center of the keyboard to the treble and then doing the bass, as many of the
>books and instructors teach. After setting the FAC or selecting a factory
>FAC I've been tuning from A0 to C88. I don't think the sound is the same.
>
>I told him I know of another way to tune the piano so I set my temperament
>with the accutuner and then tuned octaves to the treble and then the bass.
>I'd only done this once before. He said he liked it. I liked it too even
>though it wasn't perfect. I spent 7 hours at the piano, no, breaks, not
>lunch, no potty.
>
>I thanked him for the opportunity to tune his piano and said " its been a
>pleasure to work on this piano and learning experience. I can't take any
>money for that. Many new tuners would give their eye teeth to work on a
>piano like this". ..And I left.
>
>He sent my a very nice thank you card...with a nice check...and expects to
>see me again in 6 months. I'm scared!
>
>I'm taking a whole week off in November to practice my aural tuning. I hear
>things better now than when I first started but I really need to solidify my
>conceptual knowledge of aural tuning.
>
>Sorry to be so long winded...bad habit my wife says...
>
>
>Anyone understand what I mean?
>
>Please be gentle...
>
>
>Wayne Lutzow
>Lincoln, CA
>Sacramento Valley PTG
>
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>_______________________________________________
>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>
>

Regards,
Don Rose, B.Mus., A.M.U.S., A.MUS., R.P.T.

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REGINA, SK
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