Pitch Raising Techniques

[Keith McGavern]

At 3:55 PM -0600 12/1/04, Hechler Family wrote:
>  ... just the other day I tuned a piano that was 60-100 cents flat 
>and wasn't tuned since 1978. As I tuned from A0 to C8, checking 
>octaves along the way, everything was in tune. That's not to say 
>that once the piano starts adjusting / shifting, how long it will 
>stay in tune. But at least when I left in was in tune ... with - one 
>- pass !

 From my 25 + years in this business and based on the information you 
have provided, I just can't accept your assertion that when you left 
this piano was in tune.

I've done pitch changes aurally, with a SAT, with a Verituner, with 
RCT, and there is just no way I've discovered a piano is going to be 
in tune with one pass that was 60-100 cents flat.

The most that can be expected is the piano will sound a whole lot 
better, and sometimes that doesn't even happen on a first pass.

However, I just noticed you didn't mention bringing it to A440 in 
that one pass. Maybe you tuned it where it was? Regardless, even 
tuning it where it was, one pass would never be enough to have it in 
tune according to my experience.

Sound better than before, yes; in tune, no.

I should mention the criteria I am basing of what in-tune would be is 
a person capable of passing the Piano Technicians Guild tuning exam 
at a minimum of 80%, a very generous margin.

Keith
-- 
Keith McGavern
Registered Piano Technician
Oklahoma Chapter 731
Piano Technicians Guild
USA