In a message dated 12/23/99 6:17:54 PM Pacific Standard Time, JSmith3109@AOL.COM writes: << Can someone explain "killer octave" for me? Thanks.... >> It is generally thought of as Octave 5 but really from F4 to F5 might be a better range. This is the area above the Temperament Octave, (generally F3-F4 but sometimes between other notes and sometimes more than just a single octave's worth of notes) that presents the greatest difficulty in a tuning compromise. Therefore, the term, '"killer" has been attached to it. It's really nothing more than that. The way to not let it be a "killer" is to have all of the currently known and practiced techniques at your disposal so that you can really find the best compromise. Recent posts have talked about these kinds of techniques in detail. You need to know about and be able to use the 4:5 ratio of contiguous 3rds, the different kinds (sizes) of octaves (2:1, 4:2, 6:3 and beyond) and just how much or how little to temper the 4ths & 5ths. All of these need to work together with none being favored over the other in order to make that area of the piano, in particular, come out right. Bill Bremmer RPT Madison, Wisconsin
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC