Aural tuning- 300 cents flat

[David Ilvedson]

Does it really matter?   There is no fine tuning going on here...just rough it in and hopefully next time it will be closer.   Do you really think your 7 beats is going to be 7 beats for any length of time?   

David I.



----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: Greg Livingston <pianotuner440@hotmail.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Received: Fri, 25 Feb 2005 04:56:59 +0000
Subject: Aural tuning- 300 cents flat


>Hello, everyone.

>I should have known better when I was told the 1901 Clunquer & Sons hadn't 
>been tuned in a long time.   Just taking the front cover off covered me in 
>thick black  gritty dirt.  I wouldn't have been surprised if  the last 
>person to tune this sled was Jerry Cree Fischer himself.  A sticker from the 
>most recent tuner had his phone number - 4 digits.

>A quick check with my 440 fork confirmed my worst fear- it was a good 300 
>cents flat (F# against the A.)
>After quite a while, and three broken strings, I got it somewhat stable at 
>425 (10 bps below my 435 fork), as high as I dared to pull it.  At least I 
>got lots of practice on my tuner's knot.

>I tune aurally, listening for F-A at 7 bps, F-D at 8 bps, A-C# at about 8, 
>etc. Here's my question to the list: Do these beat rates remain the same 
>when the reference A is way below 440 as mine was that day?  And, if you 
>tune aurally with nothing but a 440 fork to relate to,   what do you do when 
>you find yourself way below 440 and the pitch is shiftng as you tune?

>Those beat rates were not working for me as they always do at 440, so I just 
>went around and around in 4ths and 5ths until I was satisfied.   What would 
>you have done?

>Thanks, and every little bit helps,
>Greg Livingston
>_______________________________________
>Gregory P. Livingston, Piano Tuning and Service
>781-237-9178
>Piano Technicians Guild, Boston chapter (associate member)
>                          *   *   *
>Always remember September 11, 2001


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