pitch change

[Warren Fisher]

Don,  I use one of the page tunings closest to the piano type and quickly set it
to the pitch of the upper most bass string.  This is the most stable part of the
piano as far as the effects of seasonal changes of the board.  Then starting at
A0, quickly cycle and play all the way up to C8 while you watch the relative
flatness or sharpness of the lights (or whatever you watch).  You will quickly see
where the problem areas are and can adjust your pitch raising plans accordingly.

Warren

Don wrote:

> Hi all,
>
> Traditionally pitch change has been measured at A4 (and sometimes C), I
> believe partly because of the contraints of tuning forks. Many of us now
> use electronic aides which allow us the freedom to measure anywhere we choose.
>
> Clearly the most unstable note on a piano is the lowest plain steel wire.
> It would make sense to measure this note and its octaves.
>
> Another "weird" note is the first string after the treble break. It behaves
> differently than the note just below the break. Again, I extend by octaves.
>
> These measurements give me a far better *feel* for the pitch  condition of
> the instrument than measuring all the A's. The second measurement tends to
> give me a *feel* for the design of the instrument and how this particular
> piano will react to pitch correction.
>
> I hope this may prove of interest to all VTD tuners.
>
> I am curious if any aural tuners do these sort of "checks" and if so what
> notes they choose.
>
> Regards,
> Don Rose, B.Mus., A.M.U.S., A.MUS., R.M.T., R.P.T.
>
> Tuner for the Saskatchewan Centre of the Arts
>
> mailto:drose@dlcwest.com
> http://donrose.xoasis.com/
>
> 3004 Grant Rd.
> REGINA, SK
> S4S 5G7
> 306-352-3620 or 1-888-29t-uner

--
Warren Fisher RPT                   Beginners & Lurkers
fish@Communique.net                 Basic Pianotech discussed
1422 Briarwood Dr.                  Ask any question.
Slidell, LA 70458-3102              fish@gs.verio.net