[pianotech] tuning cold pianos

paul bruesch paul at bruesch.net
Wed Jan 21 17:42:25 PST 2009


Per the exam prep manual, 1hz variation in A4 for every ten degrees
difference from 72F. e.g. A440hz at 72F becomes A441hz at about 80F, A442hz
at 90F, A439 at 60F... but I'm likewise (as has been mentioned) certain that
it won't be a uniform drift.
Paul Bruesch
Stillwater, MN

On Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 4:47 PM, John Formsma <formsma at gmail.com> wrote:

> On Wed, Jan 21, 2009 at 3:42 PM, Barbara Richmond <piano57 at comcast.net>wrote:
>
>>    A colleague and I are going to be tuning pianos for the Illinois Music
>> Educators Association All-State Convention.  Of course, the venues will
>> store the pianos in not very well heated storage rooms, where we will have
>> to tune.  It's been awhile, but I remember that stage lights make pianos go
>> flat, so if these pianos are cold when we get to them, should we tune high
>> (if so, how much?) and assume they'll fall in pitch when they warm up?  Will
>> the treble and bass sections change at the same rate?   I can't count on the
>> pianos having been tuned recently.
>>
>
> Yes, tune them sharp.  How much depends on the temperature, and what kind
> of piano.
>
> Are they grands, verticals?
>
> What temp will the rooms be where you'll tune them?
>
> What temp will the performance rooms be (roughly)?
>
> I'd have to look up the rate of change at A4. It's in the PTG Tuning Exam
> manual if you have a copy. (And probably other places too, but I know it's
> there.)  From my own recollection and/or experience, it's something like 6-8
> cents per 10º, in the middle section. More in the low tenor.
>
> I wouldn't count on the different sections changing at the same rate.
>
> --
> JF
>
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