Klarinet Archive - Posting 000398.txt from 2000/08

From: David Renaud <studiorenaud@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Unloading/#piano
Date: Tue, 15 Aug 2000 17:58:47 -0400

LeliaLoban@-----.com wrote:

> My childhood piano tuner told me that's why full-sized pianos have three
> strings for each treble note and only two for each bass note. The strings
> are not tuned precisely alike.

Should be as close as possible. Sometimes compensation is required for
mismatched strings or false beats in a single string.

> Traditional piano tuners who tune by ear
> naturally produce these small differences, but people who use electronic
> devices for tuning will deliberately tune the strings very slightly out of
> phase in order to produce this richer voice with more overtones.

Most piano technicians would disagree. Most prefer squeaky clean unisons
inasmuch as possible on a given piano. I've heard of what your talking about
suggested before but few would do it. I've met hundreds of technicians at
conventions, and industry sponsored seminars, and am quite sure of this.
The testing standard for the PTG is to aim for pure, beatless unisons.

> Those compact piano-shaped objects almost always sound flat in the treble to
> me, too, even when an electronic device shows the note is properly tuned.
> I've always wondered why. Anyone know?

Tony's answer is great, as usual.
The harmonics on a piano string are sharp relative to theoretical overtones.
Very sharp.

There is a free download called "Tunelab".
An internet search engine brings in up right away. Very powerful. Accurate to
1/100th cent

It can generate tuning curves based on sample readings of given piano strings.
Has dozens of historical temperaments. Tried the "Victorian mean tone" on a
Yamaha.
Very interesting sounds.

Sound a single string and the program measures the strings harmonics.
Take some readings and you will quickly see why the top octave of a piano may be
tuned
25 to 50 cents sharp. The upper piano notes must fit into this harmonic stretch
or they
sound terrible.

I tried Tunelab readings for clarinet and was pleased to see how close to pure
the harmonics are. Some are even just a hair flat. Wonder why?

David Renaud
Registered Piano Technician
Piano Technicians Guild

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org