JC update plus tun-stuff

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi to all:

I started driving this last week, however, I still cannot walk without
the walker. Today I tuned for a 2-piano concert at our church. I used
the SAT III with the Coleman 11 HT superimposed. The two pianos sounded
great. My unisons were better than before because my hands are still so
weak that I must use a pounder in my left hand and as a result the
strings really get socked in tight. The 1st piano was right next to the
stage edge where I could not get my wheelchair and so I had to get my
son Phil to tune the top section of that piano for me just before the
program started. He did a good job.

My formerly broken R leg has healed well and the whole leg is now
stronger after carrying the heavy splint around for 2 months. As a result
of this renewed strength, I can now drive my car (before I could not
lift my foot to the brake or the accelerator pedal). My hands are still
a bit weak, but the arms are strong.

I can now get in and out of the car without using the slide transfer board.
Saturday I picked up a handicapped person who needed some help in his
self image. He claimed to be able to drive a car but no one would 
believe him or give him a job so I took him to our church parking lot 
and put him through the paces. He actually CAN drive. He feels much 
better now about himself. Next, I need to help him find a job where he 
can use his skills. He repaid my help by helping me walk with my walker. 
For the first time I was able to get out of the car and on to the walker 
without assistance. He helped me safely walk around a bit. I appreciated 
his help much because I surely do not want to fall again and break 
something.

For Associates only.
Warning: Crass commercialism!

I just completed a new video tape for Superior Instructional Tapes this 
past week. It is titled: "Passing the PTG Tuning test with the SAT III."
On this tape I do several aural tunings using the Baldassin-Sanderson-
Kimbell-Tremper Temperament. The one which takes over 30 minutes for the 
entire midrange shows in detail many helpful test intervals or guidance 
intervals which can be used to make the temperament "bullet proof." It 
is shown that as one tunes aurally, one can stop and compare certain 
notes with the SAT III to see how close the aural tuning is coming along.
By taking on the temperament in small bite-sized chunks, time is saved 
in the learning process. Instructions are given in how to set up a mock 
tuning exam on the SAT III and how to score yourself. When a person gets 
to the point where they can aurally tune in the 90% range each time, 
there should be no fear of taking the test. This tape was made to 
encourage Associates to tackle the Aural portion of the test head-on. All 
examinees must do the Part I completely aurally. This includes a scoring 
of Pitch, Temperament, and MidRange.

Fantastic offer:

To show how committed I am to helping Associates upgrade, here is my offer.

Anyone who purchases this tape and passes the PTG Tuning test within six  
months will be entitled to a full refund of $25.00.

Strong Hint: Practice your unisons until you can tune them all in the 
midrange area (C3 thru B4) within plus or minus .3 cents, then buy the tape.
I think I could safely guarantee your passing the temperament after this

Here's how to practice your aural unisons: Set your temperament and 
midrange using the SAT III FAC program. Then make up a chart like this 
below from C3 thru B4, then make a few copies as needed:

Note          L string     Center string      R string    Points

C3     (ex.)   -3.0            -3.9             -2.0           2
C#3            -2.5            -2.2             -2.7           0
D3             -1.8            -1.2             -2.1           0
D#3              .9            - .1             -2.1           3
.
.
etc. thru B4

Don't copy the examples above, just leave the spaces blank until you 
measure each string with your SAT. Be sure and stop the LEDs with the 
UP/DN buttons using a soft piano keytouch.

Score your unisons like this:      
                   differences of   0.0 to  .9 cents  no penalty points
                                    1.0 to 1.9 cents  1  penalty point
                                    2.0 to 2.9 cents  2  penalty points
                                    3.0 to 3.9 cents  3  penalty points
To measure penalty points, take difference between L&C, L&R, and C&R
In the first example (C3) in chart above there was no penalty point 
between the L and Center strings, there was one penalty point between 
the L and R strings, and there was one penalty point between the C & R.

To convert penalty points to % score, add points up, multiply by 2 and 
subtract from 100%. One must make at least 80% in each portion of the 
Tuning test to become an RPT.

The Bass Section (notes 4 thru 27), the Treble section (notes 52 thru 
75), and the Hi-Treble section (notes 76 thru 87) may be tuned using the 
AccuTuner. I suggest tuning the one string of the entire piano 
using a firm blow while tuning, but test for stopped dots using a soft blow.
This will help one to pass the stability portion of Part II. When tuning 
from C7 thru B7, with the SAT set to the note you are tuning, play the 
note one octave below, stop the dots with the cents buttons, then tune 
your note to this setting. This will give you simple pure octaves which 
the Test instructions require. This eliminates arguments about how much
to stretch in the top octave only (I'm not suggesting that you always 
tune this way, but just for the test). You may use the 10th 17th test 
for practice in hearing this type of octave (example: G#4-C7 should beat 
at the same rate as G#4-C6, etc.).

Go Associates, Yea

Jim Coleman, Sr.