Setting pitch with a fork

[justpianos@our.net.au]

For 15 years I have always clamped the fork in my teeth, as I have a bad 
memory for individual notes. (can't sing in tune for nuts).
This frees both hands for testing/adjusting each note, and is surprisingly 
clear and loud. Try it.
BTW no trouble on teeth as it is only for first note, temporary, and lightly 
held.
Bruce.






ilex cameron ross <i1ex@earthlink.net> said:

> 
> heh. my old mentor actually used to clamp the tuning fork in his teeth.
> FRIGHTENING! i suppose it must resonate quite well inside one's skull that
> way, but i wonder what kind of damage is being done to his teeth!
> -ilex
> 
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Cy Shuster" <741662027@theshusters.org>
> To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Thursday, August 19, 2004 11:02 AM
> Subject: Setting pitch with a fork
> 
> 
> List,
> 
> I'm practicing setting pitch with a tuning fork (for the RPT exam, someday),
> and I'm finding it hard to hear the beats between F2 and the fork.  I'm also
> struggling to hold the fork, play the note, and turn the pin.  What works
> for you?
> < . . . . .>
> --Cy Shuster--
> Bluefield, WV
>     I tune verticals "left-handed," i.e., tuning hammer in left hand,
> striking notes and octaves with my right, piano bench angled so I'm facing
> the treble end.  I often stand to tune the bass, but don't necessarily have
> to.  The following method probably won't work if you tune "right-handed,"
> but maybe it's adaptable.
>     I tap the fork on my knee, hold it up to my ear, then with the fork
> still held with my right thumb and index (why set it down when I'm going to
> immediately use it again?), play A 49 with my right 3rd & 4th fingers and
> just get A in the right ballpark.  Then I quickly tune A3 to A4,
> approximately beatless, but not bothering with any other checks than just
> the two A's together.  Then I get F2 to beat fairly slowly with A4, in the
> neighborhood of three to six beats a second -- that's just where I find it
> easiest to compare beats.
>     Now I can hit the fork on my knee, hold it up to my ear or put the base
> of it against my cheekbone or jawbone up near the ear while I play F2 and
> memorize the beat rate.  Then, still holding the fork with right thumb &
> forefinger, play A with the 3rd & 4th fingers, and F2 with the left hand,
> comparing the beat rate with the previous one.
>     When the beat rates sound the same, I again hit the fork, move it
> immediately to my ear and play A4, and let them both ring, listening for any
> "slow roll."
>     If F2 doesn't beat that loudly with the fork, try using B1.
> 
>     --David Nereson, RPT
> 
> 
> 
> 
> 
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