ohoh

[Charlie Potter]

Hi Allen Thanks for the info. My hearing probably isnt that good anymore but I use a peterson 490st to assist my ears.I am finding it hard to use the peterson on the very low or high octave.I know the string is correct.I will try your advive Monday.Thanks again,Charlie
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Alan Barnard 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Sunday, March 12, 2006 1:31 PM
  Subject: Re: ohoh


  Not without more information ... but unless the string was replaced with wire that is too heavy (can't reach pitch without breaking) then you are definitely tuning it sharp. Not just a little sharp but wayyyy sharp.

  Are you tuning by ear or with an electronic device?

  Do your treble octaves sound right to you up to the last one?

  One "trick" to better hear treble tuning is to press the sustain pedal and slowly play a two-octave, arppegiated chord leading up to the top note of the chord--the note you are checking--but pausing a couple of seconds before playing that last note, i.e., hearing it in your mind first then sounding it to see if it is sharp are flat or where your head said it should be.

  It is possible, especially at the extreme ends of the piano, to have notes off by a fourth or fifth so they still sound okay (sort of) but not at the octave.

  For example, your high C may actually be, let's say, an augmented 4th above C, so it sounds lousy but the customer in his ear wants to hear it pulled up to a perfect 5th. You try it and poingggggg.

  When in doubt, turn those high note pins down, down, down, until you are clearly flat of the octave, then slowly tune it up. Don't keep cranking upwards if you are not sure where the string pitch is.

  Often, it is MUCH easier to hear the true pitch of high strings with a finger or thumb nail instead of wanging them with the hammer. It eliminates a lot of the "woody" sound of the hammer and heightens the fundamental of the string.

  You mentioned being "of a certain age" (it's a big club) and I'm wondering how your hearing is at that end of the piano. If you don't have an ETD but do have hearing loss at higher frequencies, you may need to bite the bullet and buy one. For what it's worth, I like Tunlab on my PocketPC because it is more affordable than others, has everything I need, and has a built in spectrum analyzer that REALLY helps you see what's going on in those top octaves.

  Hope it helps.

  Alan Barnard
  Salem, MO


  -----Original Message----- 
  From: Charlie Potter 
  Sent: Mar 12, 2006 11:03 AM 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Subject: ohoh 


  I am a newbe-wanabee and an old man. I am learning to tune pianos. I have done 1 ok. On the second  a Kawai I have broken the last string c88 2 times because the owner says it isnt pitched high enough.Could anyone tell me what I am doing wrong,Charlie

Salem, Missouri


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