Unfortunately I have to disagree with the use of an ETD for learning how to tune aurally. As a person who has helped many students with aural tuning skills, I insist that at least the time they spend with me will not include an ETD. The reason is that all the checks that you need for a tuning are available within the piano, and using an ETD to check the the work can be demoralizing. Find a good aural tuner that can affirm what you are doing. Your aural tuning skills will improve by leaps and bounds. Chris Gregg. RPT At 08:21 PM 5/28/2004, you wrote: >I agree with Mark AND David. I'm a student, two months with a hammer, >and have just started using an ETD to test my practice. The immediate, >non-subjective feedback was just what I need at this point. > >I want to be a rock-solid aural tuner before I start tuning for pay with >an ETD. But since I live out in the "boonies", it's it difficult to get >feedback. (I have an RPT coaching me, but he's an hour away and I work >a full time "day" job.) > >But being the "perfectionist" that I am, I wanted to know "now" how I'm >doing. > >I do agree with David. When I tried to "watch" my tuning, it made me >not listen as well. I don't want to have that crutch. So I don't keep >the ETD in view when I'm practicing. But after I'm done with my >practice session, I check my work. Then I check it the next day to see >if the pin held. That way I have an idea if I'm setting the pin >correctly. > >I'm sure David wasn't referring to using an ETD in this context when he >made his comments. But I had to respond. > >And, since this is my first "post" after lurking for awhile, I just want >to say that you guys are great teachers! > >Joe Freeman >Florida Student >Future Associate Member (any day now) > > >-----Original Message----- >From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On >Behalf Of Mark Davidson >Sent: Friday, May 28, 2004 9:02 PM >To: Pianotech >Subject: Tuning Devices for learning (was Tuning Devices) > >David Nereson wrote: > >I recommend learning to tune FIRST BY EAR > >ALONE, then consider an electronic tuning > >aid after you know what you're doing. > >Otherwise the chances of its becoming a > >crutch and your not developing your ear are > >far greater, in my opinion. > >Well, I don't want to get into the argument about who is >a "real" tuner and who isn't, but I think ETDs are a >fantastic learning tool when used thoughtfully and judiciously. > >I too am in the process of learning to tune, and I consider >the ETD to be an invaluable feedback tool. Yes, I suppose >there could be a risk of coming to rely on it too much, but >it can help learning in many ways. > >1. checking stability. You can easily measure the effect of >test blows on notes you have tuned, or come back in a day >or week and check on them and quickly get an accurate >measure of the changes. Very helpful while learning to >set pins. When you come back the next day and everything >has dropped 2 cents and the humidity hasn't changed, then >you know you haven't got it yet :( > >2. tuning to a fork. Easily compare your fork to the string >after tuning it by ear to see how much error there is. > >3. comparing pitches/partials. After tuning two partials >together by ear, you can precisely measure the frequencies >to see how close you got them. This kind of instant >feedback is very helpful for learning to tune unisons and >octaves, or other pure intervals. > >4. checking accuracy of temperament. Some ETDs >measure beats, but you can calculate these too from >the frequencies of the partials. > >Other suggestions? > >The key of course is that you use the ETD to check >your work AFTER doing it by ear. But frankly I >can't think of a better or quicker way to check >some of these things when starting out, and I find >the instant feedback very helpful. > >If you have a PC (preferably laptop) then Tunelab 97 is >cheap and more than adequate for all the above tasks. > >The other real key is to find a good teacher... > >-Mark Davidson > >so umm, what is Proposition 12 anyway? or do I >have to learn the secret handshake first to find out... >_______________________________________________ >pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives > > >_______________________________________________ >pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives http://www.tuneit.ca
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