However, in the article I referenced, what Jim Coleman showed was that over a broad set of piano brands and sizes (perhaps more diverse than what will be encountered on the tuning exam?), the inharmonicity while varying can be predicted to fall within a reasonably sized window. That window, combined with the increased accuracy of listening at a higher partial, leads to a very good method for setting pitch. Jim, this is interesting, and perhaps as you suggest a bit renegade :). I'll have to see if I can find JC's article so I can learn more about it. My comments, however, were directed at someone who is preparing for the tuning exam. It seems to me that your method of setting pitch using the third partial relies on an assumption about the inharmonicity of the piano in front of you. Apart from taking inharmonicity measurements, which is neither practical nor possible in the exam setting, who's to say that this particular piano isn't the exception to the rule, with inharmonicity outside the window? For this reason I would not recommend its use during the exam. Roger Domeny Domeny's Piano Service
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