<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; = charset=iso-8859-1"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1458" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> </HEAD> <BODY bgColor=#d8d0c8> <DIV><FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff size=2></FONT> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV class=OutlookMessageHeader dir=ltr align=left><FONT = face=Tahoma size=2>-----Original Message-----<BR><B>From:</B> = pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]<B>On Behalf Of </B>Cy Shuster<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, August 19, 2004 12:02 = PM<BR><B>To:</B> Pianotech<BR><B>Subject:</B> Setting pitch with a = fork<BR><BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>List,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>I'm practicing setting pitch with a tuning fork = (for the RPT exam, someday), and I'm finding it hard to hear the beats between F2 = and the fork.  I'm also struggling to hold the fork, play the note, and = turn the pin.  What works for you?</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>For one thing, if I play F2 with my left hand, and = hold the fork to my right ear, it's really hard to hear beats (I know I can = adjust F2 as needed for a comfortable beat speed).  I found if I hold the = fork over my left ear, so that it's between my ear and the piano, the beats are clearer.  (Is it because the wave interference happens in the = air, not in my head?  Sarah?)</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Is there a difference in the beats when the fork = is in the air, vs. on the stretcher (or the keybed; I've also tried dangling it = from two fingers, pressing on the underside of the keybed, while playing F2 = with my thumb -- less than satisfactory)?  Maybe it's time to try the = rubber tubing on the end, and holding it in my teeth...</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>--Cy Shuster--</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2>Bluefield, WV<BR></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2><SPAN class=667022120-20082004><FONT = face=Arial color=#0000ff>Cy</FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2><SPAN class=667022120-20082004><FONT = face=Arial color=#0000ff>Hold the fork between your thumb and index finger = of your left hand, </FONT> <FONT face=Arial color=#0000ff>strike it = on the side of your knee and rest the end of it on the key strip.  Now = reach up with your third and/or fourth finger and play the F 2.  With some = practice, it becomes 2nd nature.  This allows you to play the A 4 = or tune with your right.  Mute F 2 so only one string is sounding.  = When you hear the beats, continue to hold the F 2, raise the fork from the key = strip as you play the A 4.</FONT></SPAN><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff> <SPAN class=667022120-20082004> Compare to = beat speeds.</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN class=667022120-20082004></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN class=667022120-20082004>Paul C</SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT size=2><FONT face=Arial><FONT color=#0000ff><SPAN = class=667022120-20082004></SPAN></FONT></FONT></FONT> </DIV></BLOC= KQUOTE></BODY></HTML>