Temperature and the Tuning Fork

[Robert Scott]

Ed Sutton wrote:

>  For the tuning exam, it's probably best to get an electronic A440.

But if you use an electronic A-440, be careful of harmonics.  Most electronic tone generators have strong 2nd and 3rd harmonics.  These harmonics will beat with the 2nd and 3rd partial of A4.  And due to inharmonicity, these beats will not go to zero at the same tuning as when the fundamental beats go to zero.  You can train yourself to focus on the fundamental and ignore the 2nd and 3rd partials, but it may not be easy.  If you tune to the 3rd partial you could be off by half a cent at the fundamental, and the fundamental is where you will be evaluated for the setting of A4 in the tuning test.  However a tuning fork is almost pure, so the only beat you will hear is the fundamental.

Robert Scott
Ypsilanti, Michigan