Inharmonicity

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

I give my personal thanks to God who has established the laws of physics
and inharmonicity in particular. For, this is one of the things which makes
it difficult to reproduce realistic piano sounds in cheap keyboard 
instruments and it has kept me busy studying it since 1949. We don't know 
all there is to know about it yet. We do know a lot more about it now than 
we did 20 years ago.

Later I'll write more on this subject.

Off subject.

I especially enjoyed the contribution of McCord on weighting the soundboard
assembly. Did you know that Alfred Knight weighted his bridges to increase
duration? When at the CG Conn co. Charles Walter and others of us did tests
to see what are the advantages of this in small pianos. Weighting is more
effective in the Bass and low Tenor than in other places.


Jim Coleman, Sr.

On Wed, 12 Aug 1998 JIMRPT@aol.com wrote:

> 
> In a message dated 8/12/98 6:59:06 PM, pianotoo@imap2.asu.edu wrote:
> 
> <<" From time to time I read about inharmonicity of piano strings on this 
>  list.  I would be grateful if someone would clarify for me exactly what 
>  inharmonicity is and how it affects piano tuning. ">>
> 
> Gary;
>  Now that Dr. Coleman, and others, have answered your technical question re:
> "inharmonicity", it is time to take a more philosophical look at the
> phenomenon.
> 
>   The inherent inharmonicity in piano scales is what makes tuning an 'art' as
> much as a 'science'.  It is this portion of the tuners duties which allows the
> greatest degree of latitude in application of their pet theories and the
> personalization of tunings for any given instrument. 
> 
>  Since we can't remove inharmonicity we must work with it and this causes
> discussions beyond all realms of reasonablness as to the "correct tuning or
> temperament" for any given instrument.  Inharmonicity also supplies much
> discussion fodder for bridges/soundboards/
> bearings/terminations/strikepoints/hammers/damping nodes, etc..
> 
>  Thank goodness for inharmonicity,  it contributes to individual instruments a
> part of their personality and allows us to apply our 'artful' skills to the
> best results.
> Jim Bryant (FL)
> 
>