Pitch Floating

[David ilvedson]

Avery,

I also use a SAT.  What I do is check the overall pitch of the 
A's.  I will off set the SAT after the first check to get it closer 
to where the piano is.  For instance +2 cents.  I check the A's 
again and find I'm still below so I offset to +3 cents and check 
again.  Of course I am noticing like you said that the tenor is 
much higher than the overall piano.  When I find the right offset 
that allows me to make a small tension change to fine tune, 
off I go.  Of course I will bring the tenor down as it has drifted 
beyond the general pitch of the piano.  

Hope this is of some help...

David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA

Date sent:      	Fri, 25 Jun 1999 14:40:54 -0500
From:           	Avery Todd <atodd@UH.EDU>
Subject:        	Pitch Floating
To:             	caut@ptg.org
Copies to:      	pianotech@ptg.org
Send reply to:  	caut@ptg.org

> List,
> 
>    There have been discussions in the past of letting the pitch float a
> little. My question pertains to doing this on a concert instrument.
>    We have 4 S & S 'D's which are usually tuned (or "touched up") several
> times a week. Sometimes daily. How does one determine which note to use
> as the pitch standard if one wants to let it float?
>    Almost invariably, the low tenor is sharper than the rest, with it
> basically decreasing as one goes up the scale, at least after the lowest
> treble break. Then the bass is almost always right on.
>    If the piano is roughly the same amount sharp throughout, no problem.
> But in the above case, wouldn't it be better to just go ahead and lower
> the sharp portion(s) and tune as usual?
>    That's what I usually do, but have been curious about which note (or
> area) you "floaters" use to determine the pitch level.
>    Just thought I'd throw something out for thought over the weekend.
> Have a good one.
> 
> Avery
> 
> P.S. I do use an SAT III with my 'D' tunings loaded into memory.
> 


David Ilvedson, RPT
Pacifica, CA
ilvey@jps.net