Sharp organ

[Delton, Jr. Eason]

I agree with Joseph.  I was the primary tuner for a
pipe organ in a church that had absolutely no
temperature control.  Needless to say, I tuned it
twice a year--Spring and Winter.  Pipe organs are more
touchy than a kid with his first boo-boo.  The
environment has to be almost perfectly stable for the
pipe organ to maintain its pitch.  

D. Eason, Jr.
--- Joseph Garrett <joegarrett@earthlink.net> wrote:
> Roger,
> Since you bi-directed this posting at me, I'll
> respond.
> I was not "after" the Organ Tech!, but his lack of
> analysis of this
> particular church situation. If he had ascertained
> the ambient temp/hum that
> the church is "normally" at and achieved that before
> the final tuning of the
> organ, I think that the organ would have been a
> little closer to A=440. Part
> of the equation hasn't been discussed. Where Jeannie
> is, is right on the
> ocean. I suspect that while the organ tech was
> installing, etc.  the hall
> was kept at a comfortable level for his benefit.
> Once he finished, the
> church went back to it's normal habit of not heating
> or cooling. IMHO the
> organ tech should have a long conversation with the
> powers that be, at the
> church, and emphasize the importance of constant
> temp/Humid conditions.
> There lies the problem. My original comment was too
> short.(for that I
> apologize) The best thing is IMHO to get the organ
> tech to retune the whole
> enchilada while the church is in it's normal
> temp/humid mode. Then, at least
> Jeannie won't have to tune the piano 12-15cents
> sharp and possibly more. If
> the organ "floats" a little sharp and a little flat,
> with the average at
> A=440, then it would be acceptable.
> Regards,
> Joe Garrett
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "jolly roger" <baldyam@sk.sympatico.ca>
> To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Sunday, May 13, 2001 11:00 AM
> Subject: Re: Sharp organ
> 
> 
> >
> > >>>>  this.  How much slack do we cut pipe organ
> tuners?
> > >>>>  Thanks,
> > >>>  Greg Hollister RPT
> > >>
> > >>>
> > >>>IMHO the answer is none. I would recommend that
> the church contact the
> > >>Organ
> > >>>Tech and get the organ tuned properly, at his
> expense.
> > >>>Regards,
> > >>>Joe Garrett
> >
> > Hi Greg and Joe,
> >                          We write volumes about
> temp and humidity control
> > on this list. Also lots on pitch corrections.
> > Our problems are minor compared to the average
> pipe organ.  A few
> examples,
> >  as the day rolls along the building gets warmer,
> heat rises, now the
> large
> > pipes are way up there in the building.  The temp
> at the piano may be
> > 70degrees, but near the top of the pipe organ 90
> degrees is not uncommon.
> > Ever tuned one?  <G>  The pitch is constantly in a
> state of flux, as are
> > the rates of changes, from rank to rank.
> > Now we make each rank of pipes with a different
> material.   Percentages of
> > zinc to tin. Imagine having a unison, one string
> of brass, and one of
> > steel.  Now that could be fun.
> > Now add to the mix some wooden pipes, less
> temperature sensitive, but Oh
> My
> > the humidity.  But we are going to complicare it
> even further, by having
> > some open stops and some stopped stops at the same
> pitch.  Darn the pipes
> > that are stopped are half the length. and are a
> little more stable than
> the
> > open stops.  mmmmmmmmm the plot thickens.
> > But we want some reeds on this organ. Can't get a
> big Tutti sound with out
> > those reeds.  Well many good organist learn how to
> tune the reed ranks,
> > they are that unstable.
> > This is a little tongue in cheek, but I think you
> may be getting the
> picture.
> > As an old traditional Anglican,  Let's have the
> Majesty of the organ and
> > get rid of the piano.
> > If the church can afford a pipe organ of any
> consequence, 1-5 million
> > dollars is not unusual.  They can afford an expert
> in the respective field
> > to maintain it.
> > I know proportionally, there are as many bad pipe
> organs as there are bad
> > pianos.
> > Leave the pipe organ tech alone.   He may want to
> pick on your
> > tuning/voicing job.  Or alternatively try and work
> with him.
> > Telling the music minister, the organ tech did a
> bad job is out of line.
> > PS I tune and voice both instruments.
> > The cat is amongst the pigeons.
> > Regards Roger.
> >
> 


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