P12 in Tunelab Pro

[David Andersen]

on 6/1/04 5:29 AM, John Formsma at john@formsmapiano.com wrote:

> David Andersen responded:
>> I don't think its usefulness is questionable at all---I use it every
> time I
>> tune, and following it has allowed me to become a really, really good
> piano
>> tuner.
> 
> ..snip...
> 
>> That said, my temperament and most of the octaves I set turn out to be
> part
>> of close-to-perfect 5ths and  12ths.
> 
> David, I agree with you about Virgil's method. Whenever I tune (in ET)
> that way, I end up with nearly pure 5ths and very nearly to pure 12ths.
> All the octaves are pure sounding when used in any combination.
Exactly.
> 
> There is something about it that allows you to tap into the hidden power
> of that individual piano. I notice it EVERY time, whether it's a 9'
> Steinway or Yamaha U1 - it is a different and better sounding piano.
EXACTLY.
> 
> For me, it took a fair amount of listening and practicing to say, "Yes,
> I can now hear what is there." But it was certainly worth it.
I guess i was led into it by my teacher, Jack Cofer, when I first learned
how to tune almost 30 years ago. Worth it for me? Yes times a million.
> 
> Have you noticed that false beats in the treble are greatly minimized
> when tuning this way?
Absolutely, and it can cause many, many other psychoacoustic illusions as
well:  bigger bass, more sustain, warmer voice, crisper, more even action
regulation---I've heard all of these comments after just a real strong
focused, natural beat aural tuning.  And the capper:
"This sounds like a different piano; how'd you do that?"
> Regards,
> 
> John Formsma

Hope this helps sincere tuners who want to really experience a consistently
beautiful and precise and consistent tuning-----and have FUN doing it.

Best,

David Andersen