[pianotech] Aural vs. ETD

[pmc033 at earthlink.net]

Hi, Matthew:
    The aural test for RPT is done by tuning the piano by ear first by the examiners.  It is then programmed into the ETD, and detuned for the examinee.  It is very fair, and the ETD allows an accurate way to measure the discrepancies between the "best" tuning and the one being examined.  If the examinee's tuning is deemed to be wrong, he can try to prove to the examiners that the tuning is correct by showing various tests to prove his point.  If he cannot, then points are deducted.  An expert aural tuner can do just as well as one who uses an ETD, though many would say even better.  
    Paul mcCloud
    San dieGo


----- Original Message ----- 
From: Matthew Todd 
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Sent: 04/03/2009 8:47:33 AM 
Subject: [pianotech] Aural vs. ETD


I'm assuming most of you read the article in the latest journal regarding aural vs. ETD.  I would like to hear more comments.  I wonder which is the most accurate.

It seems to me that ones who believe that aural is THE most accurate way have been doing it for 50+ years and have just not had the opportunity to try the latest ETD's which have come a long way over the years.  I say that because I was discussing this subject with a "strictly aural tuner" a while back and he told me that his ears are still as sharp as ever.  This gentleman by the way is in his 70's, with no hearing aids.  After he tuned a piano, I checked it with an ETD, and his tuning was all over the place.

Plus, I know that you have to tune for the PTG exam, for the most part, aurally.  But when your work is checked, do they not use an ETD?  Can anyone tell me why that is?

Anyway, just my thoughts at the moment.


TODD PIANO WORKS 
Matthew Todd, Piano Technician 
(979) 248-9578
http://www.toddpianoworks.com
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: <http://ptg.org/pipermail/pianotech_ptg.org/attachments/20090403/a3a4f7dd/attachment.html>