Dan, As a tuner working to progress from machine assisted amateur associate to an RPT I have found earplugs very helpful in sorting out what partials I need to be working with in order to lay the bearings by ear. I heard too many (some faint) to decide which to work with before that. Guy Nichols recommends Ear Filters which are utilized by hearing conscious rock musicians (there are a few). These apparently successfully reduce decibel levels without overly compromising sound detail. They are generally a special order item at your local electric guitar and drum store. I didn't get them ordered in time for a week long tuning gig I did in an unserved corner of Texas where all the pianos required pitch-raises (10-120 cents). After the first day I went to the local drug store in desperation and bought regular ear plugs figuring I would remove them for the fine tuning pass. I could hear the fundamentals loud and clear and the lower partials so I risked it and kept them in for the second pass. I always remove them for a last playing pass of chromatic scales of thirds, fourths and fifths. I was surprised how few of the unisons I did retouch. I still have to order those darn ear-filters though. You'd think a piano supply house would pick them up. Andrew Las Cruces, NM
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