Wondering about the effects of scaling on tunability

[Bill Ballard]

At 10:59 AM -0500 2/26/04, Piannaman@aol.com wrote:
>If anybody has any recommendations for books or websites regarding 
>scaling that are not overly math-driven, I'd appreciate it.

There's now way of avoiding the math. A properly drawn string scale 
is one whose attributes (tension, % of breaking point, inharmonicity, 
stiffness), when graphed, look like smooth curves. You'll find out 
quickly how achievable such smoothness is.

Your difficulty with harmonizing the tenor section lies in the 
inharmoncity curve. For a wonderful introduction to that, you should 
start with Dan Levitan's series in the PTJ (starting I believe, in 
9/73). As for calculating (and visualizing/graphing) an existing 
scale or a new one, buy "The Calculating Technician" by David Roberts 
(PTG Foundation Press), condensed from his series of 20 articles in 
the PTJ 1979-81. Once you've done that, you'll appreciate reading the 
original articles.

And when you've got all that under your belt and are back on the list 
reading to discuss rescaling, be prepared for someone who will say 
that if the manufacturer didn't get the string scale right, they 
probably missed alot about the proper design of the board, ribs and 
bridge. The implication being that a simple rescaling without equal 
attention to these other aspects of the belly isn't doing the piano 
much of a favor.

Bill Ballard RPT
NH Chapter, P.T.G.

"I'll play it and tell you what it is later...."
     ...........Miles Davis
+++++++++++++++++++++