[CAUT] 1/4 tone piano conversion

[Don Mannino]

Andrew,

I'm curious what the composer is really looking for - is this something
he has seen before, or is he doing it as an original project to be
played on one piano only? I've seen the microtonal piano (is it Seiler?)
at conventions, but it's designed from the ground up that way - no
conversion possible.

If he really is asking for 1/2 steps to be changed to 1/4 steps, that
really isn't possible, as Ron said.  You could just shove the pitch down
for the treble, but it would sound awful, as the tension would be so
crazy low for the string lengths.  In the bass, though, you would have
to raise the pitch way high and would likely start to break strings in
octave 3 - octaves 0 and 1 wouldn't be close to workable.  A redesign
down there would be tough - but might be able to be accomplished with a
new soundboard and bridges.

However, if he is after a 1/4 tone piano duet arrangement, that is
simpler.  This is what the Charles Ives pieces are written for - 2
pianos tuned 1/4 tone apart.  Much easier all around!

I would ask him if he has ever seen a piano set up this way, and if
there is someone he knows to consult with about that instrument.  Bring
up the duet arrangement just in case he isn't familiar with that idea
(although I'm pretty sure he will be).

Don Mannino
 

-----Original Message-----
From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of
Andrew Anderson
Sent: Monday, December 03, 2007 7:29 AM
To: College and University Technicians
Subject: [CAUT] 1/4 tone piano conversion

Caut Listmembers,
I have a request from the composer in residence here to convert a
Baldwin upright school-piano (late 70s early 80s vintage) into a
quarter-tone piano.  He suggested keeping C4 at standard pitch.  I
explained the need for rescaling and he still really wants the entire
piano permanently converted.

Has anyone done this?  Are there string-scale people out there willing
to take re-scaling this on?  Has anyone programmed an ETD to do this
(sorry I only do ET & WT(s) aurally).  I have a Verituner; has anyone
programmed it for 1/4 tone tunings?

Andrew C. Anderson
for Laredo Community College