Tuning from scratch

[Alan Barnard]

Well, no machine eh? Okay, here's my approach:

Caution: Don't tune anything UP if there is any chance that a string is way sharp rather than way flat. Usually not the case but DAMHIK

Get a steady tone source to make it easier to tune A4 (compare a telephone dial tone with your fork, most are near A440)

Set A4 then up and down A octaves, in all cases tuning unisons as you go ...

Tune D4 to A4 and A3, then up and down D octaves.

Tune G3, then up and down

Tune a C, then up and down

Then F, A#, etc. with 4ths and fifths.

When finished, the piano will sound awful but will be closer to pitch.

Do that again if necessary.

When pretty close, tune A4 slightly sharp (F2 beats slightly faster to A4 than to your fork)

Set a rough temperament and quickly tune up and down once or twice, as needed.

Set a to A440 and fine tune.

Next, save up your shekels and buy a machine or Tunelab and a PDA or laptop. This is one of those jobs that is just soooo much easier and faster with a little electronic help.

Alan Barnard
Salem, Missouri
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