<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">  <style>  </style>  </head> <body bgcolor=white lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple> <div class=Section1> I think it was Jorgensen in his book on Tuning who listed a test of just hearing a buzzing in the 17th. I forget the exact words he used to describe it, but something like that.<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> What I do is tune double-octaves and octave-fifths to beat equally all the way to the top. Usually I can hear it just fine. You’re wanting the top section to sound well harmonically with the lower sections, so play the triple and quadruple octaves for added verification if you need to. I don’t use the 17th much anymore in that section, but will on occasion. It also helps me to play the octave somewhat rapidly (anywhere from 1-2 times per second ) and softly, listening for beats. The sound in that section decays so rapidly that you nearly have to do it this fast. Once you get the hang of what I’m trying to describe, you can tune it pretty quickly and accurately. (Playing the octaves faster in other sections seems to help me hear it quicker too, BTW.)<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> John Formsma<o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Robert Finley Sent: Thursday, May 04, 2006 4:58 PM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Question About Setting Octaves in the High Treble<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> I am learning to tune the piano by ear and have a question about tuning octaves in the high treble and performing the tests on them. Lower down the piano and for an octave or two above the temperament octave I use a 3rd-10th test to check whether the beat rate of the 10th is the same as or slightly faster than the 3rd, to provide an octave that is correctly stretched. When I go higher in pitch I use a 3rd-17th test so that I can still hear the beats and do the comparison. The problem I am having is that when I go still higher, say in the final octave, I can hear the beats of the third but I can't hear the beats of the 17th, or any ripple at all. I can't therefore compare the two beats rates and check the octave. The higher note also dies away quicker so it makes it even more difficult. Is there any special technique I should use to be able to hear the beat rate of the 17th so that I can check the higher octaves? Thank you very much for your help. <o:p></o:p> </div> <div>  <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> Robert Finley<o:p></o:p> </div> </div> </body> </html>