Question About Setting Octaves in the High Treble

[Bec and John Silva]

Hi Robert,

You talk about the "correct" stretch. There are varying ideas as to  
the amount of stretch octaves might need. Some people may have  
recommendations that will undoubtedly help you, but it will be hard  
to avoid adding in their own particular preference. I think the  
highest (and the lowest notes on a small piano) are the hardest to  
learn to tune, it's about learning to hear and using whatever method  
to hear what you want. It's not necessarily about getting the  
"correct" stretch, it's about making the piano sound nice.

Personally, except for the temperament I only compare octaves  
throughout the entire keyboard. I used to compare various intervals  
as I was taught, but I found I could tune using just the octaves  
better and produce a better result. My goal is not to tune any  
particular partial, but to quote some others on the list, I tune the  
"whole" note.

Not sure if that helps :)

- John


> I am learning to tune the piano by ear and have a question about  
> tuning octaves in the high treble and performing the tests on them.  
> Lower down the piano and for an octave or two above the temperament  
> octave I use a 3rd-10th test to check whether the beat rate of the  
> 10th is the same as or slightly faster than the 3rd, to provide an  
> octave that is correctly stretched. When I go higher in pitch I use  
> a 3rd-17th test so that I can still hear the beats and do the  
> comparison. The problem I am having is that when I go still higher,  
> say in the final octave, I can hear the beats of the third but I  
> can't hear the beats of the 17th, or any ripple at all. I can't  
> therefore compare the two beats rates and check the octave. The  
> higher note also dies away quicker so it makes it even more  
> difficult. Is there any special technique I should use to be able  
> to hear the beat rate of the 17th so that I can check the higher  
> octaves? Thank you very much for your help.
>
> Robert Finley

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