[pianotech] Tuning contest proposal

[Ryan Sowers]

I think a more interesting test would be to do a pure speed test. ETD users commonly claim that their device makes them more efficient, especially when it comes to raising pitch. I think an interesting contest would be to raise pitch 1/4 step and tune in 1/2 hour and see which sounds better!

--- On Sat, 12/20/08, David Lawson Pianos <dlawson at davidlawsonspianos.com.au> wrote:
From: David Lawson Pianos <dlawson at davidlawsonspianos.com.au>
Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning contest proposal
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Date: Saturday, December 20, 2008, 8:35 PM



 
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I can't believe all the rot that is going on about which 
is the better tuning. Who said that the ETD was correct, the computer 
programmer? Or that the aural tuning is spot on. In my fifty years of tuning, I 
can only say that when you leave an individual piano and you and your customer 
are happy with the result, then that is a good tuning. The other factors of 
course is stability of tuning, voicing and the myriad of other matters that 
assist in making the piano what it is. If you don't know about these, then you 
are not a GOOD tuner. Every piano is different, and from where I am coming 
from as an aural tuner only, I have a bias towards what I do, as do the 
opposition. If one treats each piano on its merits, then the result must be as 
good as it can be. Let's face it, this is an IMPERFECT science we are dealing 
with, and I claim there is not such thing as the perfect tuning, so just do your 
best. If that is not good enough then deliver the morning paper!
Cheers, David Lawson Wangaratta 
Australia. 

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: 
  pcpoulson at sbcglobal.net 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Saturday, December 20, 2008 2:40 
  PM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning contest 
  proposal
  

  My recollection is that Jim Coleman was one of the 
  tuners, and used the ETD. I don't recall the other one. 
  Patrick C. Poulson
Registered Piano 
  Technician
Piano Technicians Guild
  
    ----- Original Message ----- 
    From: 
    pianolover 88 
    To: pianotech at ptg.org 
    Sent: Friday, December 19, 2008 7:06 
    PM
    Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning contest 
    proposal
    
This "test" has been done! I can't remember exactly when or 
    who was invloved, but I do know that they were both well know and respected 
    tuners. The result? Experienced tuners could not tell definitively which was 
    aural and which was etd! 

Terry Peterson
Accurate Piano 
    Service
UniGeezer.com
"Going to 
    the extreme...on just ONE wheel!" 





    
    Date: Fri, 19 Dec 2008 20:58:06 -0600
From: dahechler at charter.net
To: 
    pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Tuning contest 
    proposal

Since there are many and heated views of which tuning way is 
    better ....

I propose a tuning contest and final 
    report.

Rules:
- Find an independent person or team to 
    officiate
- Provide two identical piano and settings
- Two highly 
    respected tuners that are proficient in there respective skills (Aural and 
    ETD)
- Tune each piano at A440 - Equal Temperament
- One tune 
    aurally
- One tune with ETD
- Repeat (with the same tuners) for each 
    Brand, Size and Style of piano

Results:
- Using an independent way 
    to determine accuracy of the pitch of each note (all 88 notes) 
    (Tuning forks / ETD in "test" mode" / etc)
- If ETD is used, the initial 
    one for the tuning can not be used.
- Obviously, this rules out the 
    tuning stability (how long the piano stays in tune), hammer technique, etc. 
    (All the human elements that can't be accurately 
    measured)

Extra idea:
- Repeat contest with each commercial 
    ETD.

Eagerly waiting the results,
Duaine




    
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