My own experience tells me that the situation you describe has little effect - that is, in home, daily fluctuations. In certain circumstances temp fluctuation can have dramatic effect, usually in connection with moving air or radiant heat hitting the strings. An example of the former is a heater vent blowing hot air or an open door with a cold breeze. This wreaks havoc, especially on bass strings. But close the door/lid/heater vent and wait a while, and, in my experience, the havoc goes away. (And for harpsichords, ten times the result, ten times faster, other than the going away part). Radiant heat is sun or stage lights shining on the strings of an open grand, a similarly temporary effect (though the stage lights are unlikely to be temporary, since they'll stay on and the lid will stay open). In an institution with a fairly modern facility, there is constant air flow (even if not that perceptible) due to the air exchange factor in HVAC design (several air exchanges per hour). Thus, temp changes and humidity changes have much more effect on pianos. Give me a stuffy home for tuning stability any day, even if the temp changes 10 to 15 degrees. In churches around here, some of which typically don't heat except on Sundays, I don't really find it causes that much of a problem. Probably due to low relative humidity in general in this part of the country. Pipe organs, though !! I'll stick to pianos. Fred Sturm University of New Mexico John Minor wrote: > > My real concern is a daily fluctuation of 10-12 degrees. I'd rather the > temp be kept more consistent than that, but can't say with certainty it > will result in better tuning stability. > > John Minor > University of Illinois >
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