Cracking the unisons

[pianotune05@comcast.net]

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What is everyone's take on Virgil Smith's method of cracking the unisons.  I've been taught this from my instructor in Chicago, but fumbling with mutes is slowing me down I think.  OH , I know it's no big deal to you guys,  but my tuning lever arrived today.  
Marshall

-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Alan Barnard" <tune4u@earthlink.net> 

> Yes, David, that is exactly the way I understood Virgil in his class in 
> Kansas City. I think a lot of us have been "tweaking" string pairs this way 
> for years, but "cracking the unison" is Mr. Smith's phrase and he knows how 
> to tune a piano. 
> 
> Alan Barnard 
> Salem, Missouri 
> 
> 
> > [Original Message] 
> > From: David Andersen 
> > To: Pianotech 
> > Date: 01/06/2006 12:44:48 AM 
> > Subject: Re: Cracking the unisons 
> > 
> > > I'm hoping someone will take a stab at a detailed 
> > > definition of "Cracking The Unisons". 
> > 
> > I'll take a crack at it.... 
> > > 
> > > I've checked the archives, and lots of people mention 
> > > Virgil Smith's technique, some claim to use it, only a 
> > > few have partially described it, and I suspect I'm 
> > > still not getting it. 
> > > 
> > > As I understand it: If a three-string unison is found 
> > > to be slightly flat or sharp compared to a test 
> > > interval or two, you adjust the first string without 
> > > muting the other two, then adjust the remaining 
> > > strings to clean up the unison. 
> > 
> > Close, no cigar. You do use a mute. Not using one would be wacky, and 
> > counterproductive. Say you're setting the temperament---and this is 
> > assuming you tune all 3 strings of a unison as you go, no felt strip---and 
> > you get done, and you're playing through it, and the top note of the 
> > temperament octave seems a little flat to you. When you make your checks, 
> > you confirm that it is, in fact a hair flat. Work with 2 of the 3 strings: 
> > mute the left hand string, put your lever on the pin of the middle string, 
> > And "crack" the 2 string, hopefully perfect unison by raising the pitch of 
> > the middle string slightly---meaning just a teeny bit---just a litle 
> smear, 
> > a little phasing, no beat speed at all. Then pull the right string up to 
> it, 
> > and check it with your checks. If it feels/sounds good, and checks 
> out,take 
> > the mute out and pull up the left string, then check again. Bingo. 
> > 
> > As you practice, you get quicker and quicker at this, and your tunings 
> take 
> > on a greater and greater level of precision, which mean they sound better. 
> > 
> > IMO, mastering this skill is crucial for high-end work, really fine 
> tuning. 
> > 
> > Good luck, Greg. Keep on working, trust your body. 
> > 
> > David Andersen 
> > Malibu CA 
> > 
> > P.S. If you can get hold of a November 2005 Journal, I have an article in 
> it 
> > about open-string tuning which describes the process. 
> > 
> > 
> > _______________________________________________ 
> > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives 
> 
> 
> _______________________________________________ 
> pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives 
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