<html><body> <DIV>What is everyone's take on Virgil Smith's method of cracking the unisons.  I've been taught this from my instructor in Chicago, but fumbling with mutes is slowing me down I think.  OH , I know it's no big deal to you guys,  but my tuning lever arrived today.  </DIV> <DIV>Marshall</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">-------------- Original message -------------- From: "Alan Barnard" <tune4u@earthlink.net> > Yes, David, that is exactly the way I understood Virgil in his class in > Kansas City. I think a lot of us have been "tweaking" string pairs this way > for years, but "cracking the unison" is Mr. Smith's phrase and he knows how > to tune a piano. > > Alan Barnard > Salem, Missouri > > > > [Original Message] > > From: David Andersen <DAVID@DAVIDANDERSENPIANOS.COM> > > To: Pianotech <PIANOTECH@PTG.ORG> > > Date: 01/06/2006 12:44:48 AM > > Subject: Re: Cracking the unisons > > > > > I'm hoping someone will take a stab at a detailed > > > definition of "Cracking The Unisons". > > > > I'll take a crack at it.... > > > > > > I've checked the archives, and lots of people mention > > > Virgil Smith's technique, some claim to use it, only a > > > few have partially described it, and I suspect I'm > > > still not getting it. > > > > > > As I understand it: If a three-string unison is found > > > to be slightly flat or sharp compared to a test > > > interval or two, you adjust the first string without > > > muting the other two, then adjust the remaining > > > strings to clean up the unison. > > > > Close, no cigar. You do use a mute. Not using one would be wacky, and > > counterproductive. Say you're setting the temperament---and this is > > assuming you tune all 3 strings of a unison as you go, no felt strip---and > > you get done, and you're playing through it, and the top note of the > > temperament octave seems a little flat to you. When you make your checks, > > you confirm that it is, in fact a hair flat. Work with 2 of the 3 strings: > > mute the left hand string, put your lever on the pin of the middle string, > > And "crack" the 2 string, hopefully perfect unison by raising the pitch of > > the middle string slightly---meaning just a teeny bit---just a litle > smear, > > a little phasing, no beat speed at all. Then pull the right string up to > it, > > and check it with your checks. If it feels/sounds good, and checks > out,take > > the mute out and pull up the left string, then check again. Bingo. > > > > As you practice, you get quicker and quicker at this, and your tunings > take > > on a greater and greater level of precision, which mean they sound better. > > > > IMO, mastering this skill is crucial for high-end work, really fine > tuning. > > > > Good luck, Greg. Keep on working, trust your body. > > > > David Andersen > > Malibu CA > > > > P.S. If you can get hold of a November 2005 Journal, I have an article in > it > > about open-string tuning which describes the process. > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives > > > _______________________________________________ > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives </BLOCKQUOTE></body></html>