on 6/1/04 5:29 AM, John Formsma at john@formsmapiano.com wrote: > David Andersen responded: >> I don't think its usefulness is questionable at all---I use it every > time I >> tune, and following it has allowed me to become a really, really good > piano >> tuner. > > ..snip... > >> That said, my temperament and most of the octaves I set turn out to be > part >> of close-to-perfect 5ths and 12ths. > > David, I agree with you about Virgil's method. Whenever I tune (in ET) > that way, I end up with nearly pure 5ths and very nearly to pure 12ths. > All the octaves are pure sounding when used in any combination. Exactly. > > There is something about it that allows you to tap into the hidden power > of that individual piano. I notice it EVERY time, whether it's a 9' > Steinway or Yamaha U1 - it is a different and better sounding piano. EXACTLY. > > For me, it took a fair amount of listening and practicing to say, "Yes, > I can now hear what is there." But it was certainly worth it. I guess i was led into it by my teacher, Jack Cofer, when I first learned how to tune almost 30 years ago. Worth it for me? Yes times a million. > > Have you noticed that false beats in the treble are greatly minimized > when tuning this way? Absolutely, and it can cause many, many other psychoacoustic illusions as well: bigger bass, more sustain, warmer voice, crisper, more even action regulation---I've heard all of these comments after just a real strong focused, natural beat aural tuning. And the capper: "This sounds like a different piano; how'd you do that?" > Regards, > > John Formsma Hope this helps sincere tuners who want to really experience a consistently beautiful and precise and consistent tuning-----and have FUN doing it. Best, David Andersen
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