Tuning fluxuations

[David Ilvedson]

What would happen to Michelle's piano if a damppchaser was install right now?   Would it drop in pitch significantly?

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, California






Original message
From: DCrpt at comcast.net
To: "Pianotech List" 
Received: 5/30/2006 6:07:36 PM
Subject: Re: Tuning fluxuations 


      You are likely to get alot of different opinions on this and here comes one.I allways tune every piano I see to A-440 regardless of where it is in pitch or what time of year it is."Floating the pitch"to accomadate seasonal humidity fluctuations is not my idea of good piano service.Piano get sharpest in the low treble and less in the higher treble and very little in the bass.If you correctly tune the piano to a higher pitch than A 440 in the summer,you will find sharp upper treble and very sharp bass strings.To stabilize pitch fluctuations,I reccomend climate control for the piano namely Dampp Chaser systems.A piano ownwer should expect to tune their piano at least twice a year.A newer piano needs tuning and service as much 4 or more times a year,even with climate control.Even if you could maintain a consitant level of humidity other factors will still cause even the best tuning to deteriorate.
        If you are a new technician,you should practice tuning on your piano,and then you wouldn't have to worry about pitch fluctuations.If you feel you need to work on your aural schools then you could by an electronic tuning device that will help you get a good tuning and you can check your aural work against it.I learned to tune without any electronic aid.I had to have a live human teacher sitting next to me to tell me where the temperment needed correction.I wish I had had something like a Reyburn Cyber Tuner back then.I'm sure I would have learned to do a good tuning alot sooner.                                          Robin  Olson  RPT        ! 
 
-------------- Original message -------------- 
From: "Michelle Smith" <michelle at cdaustin.com> 

Hello all.  Curiosity question for you.  I have a Steinway S here at the house that was tuned to A440 in February.  We’ve since turned on the air conditioner and the piano has gone sharp about 12 cents.  This wouldn’t be a problem except that I have a flute student who can’t push her head joint in any farther to be in tune with my piano.  I’m probably going to retune the piano because I don’t think I can stand it any longer.   (I hate to mess up an otherwise good tuning that was done by someone far more experienced than myself.)
 
So my question is this.  When you come to a piano that is sharp this time of year, do you try to lower the pitch to A440 knowing that it will probably drop significantly when the heat is turned back on in the winter?
 
Thanks for your words of wisdom.
 
Michelle Smith
Student Tuner
Bastrop, Texas
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