Hi Andrew, If you've ever tuned an autoharp, you can imagine the sensation of tuning a harpsichord. The tuning pins are the same size as is in autoharp. Some use a Zither tuning lever, some recommend a "T" type handle for tuning harpsichords. Usually the tuning pin is not extremely tight in the pinblock so pulling a bit above pitch and bringing the string back down to pitch to set the string is all that's needed. It is a different sensation than tuning a piano, and no, a "test blow" is definitely not needed. Happy Harpsichord tuning! Joy! Elwood Elwood Doss, Jr., RPT Piano Technician/Technical Director Department of Music 145 Fine Arts Building The University of Tennessee at Martin Martin, TN 38238 731/881-1852 FAX: 731/881-7415 HOME: 731/587-5700 -----Original Message----- From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Andrew Anderson Sent: Friday, December 02, 2005 11:37 AM To: College and University Technicians Subject: [CAUT] Harpsichord tuning tips Do harpsichords have regular tuning pins? Do they behave quite differently from pianos? I guess the mechanism is different so the "test-blow" is out. Would rubbing/stretching the strings with a rag be equivalent? Any and all tips welcome. ;-) Andrew Anderson _______________________________________________ caut list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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