Question About Setting Octaves in the High Treble

[John M. Formsma]

I think it was Jorgensen in his book on Tuning who listed a test of just
hearing a buzzing in the 17th. I forget the exact words he used to describe
it, but something like that.

 

What I do is tune double-octaves and octave-fifths to beat equally all the
way to the top. Usually I can hear it just fine. You're wanting the top
section to sound well harmonically with the lower sections, so play the
triple and quadruple octaves for added verification if you need to. I don't
use the 17th much anymore in that section, but will on occasion. It also
helps me to play the octave somewhat rapidly (anywhere from 1-2 times per
second ) and softly, listening for beats. The sound in that section decays
so rapidly that you nearly have to do it this fast. Once you get the hang of
what I'm trying to describe, you can tune it pretty quickly and accurately.
(Playing the octaves faster in other sections seems to help me hear it
quicker too, BTW.)

 

John Formsma

 

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From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Robert Finley
Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2006 4:58 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Question About Setting Octaves in the High Treble

 

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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