Classic Mode

Music Trade Review

Issue: 1952 Vol. 111 N. 7

Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
PRACTICAL PIANO TUNING
By ALEXANDER HART
Formerly with Steinway & Sons Tuning Department, Instructor
Piano Tuning, Teachers College, Columbia University, N. Y.
Registered Member of the
National Association of Piano Tuners
Notes of Interest on Tuning
TT* THE first third tuned or tern-
C
".Capered K-B-C-l- can be taken
as an example for other thirds that can
MIDDLE C
t
be closely matched when listening for
tremolos.
Once you get the angle of hearing
the various degrees of sharpness, corre-
sponding to the fine distinctions in the
flatness, that is necessary with the fifths,
it is then extremely helpful to continue
practicing what you hear by exercising
the "ear".
Harmonizing in the key of D, we
need the tones F#, K.B.C.-4, and G-K-
BC-3. The D stands out as a dominant
and controlling factor in the key of G.
D must be taken into account with its
nearest relatives as B- and G fitting in-
to the picture, for a tryout as a fourth
to the first E tuned K.B.C.3, and fourth
to A.K.B.C.5. D continues to hold as a
bold sixth to A, the same liveliness that
maintains the quality in the thirds,
sixths and tenths.
Without this animated texture the
beauty of the chord is lost.
A fine tuning job can exemplify this
statement through the art of listening
for the harmonics existing in the upper
tones.
Reverting to K.B.C.5, D continues to
be a central figure on K-B-C-4.
Observing closely, two major thirds
are to the left and two major thirds to
the right, with nine half-tones apart,
leaving D in the center.
Also from that vantage point, we can
test various intervals and chords that
CHORDS CAN BE CLOSELY MATCHED, THUS FORMING A GOOD BRIDGE BETWEEN
require slight changes, viz. from D- test
THE AUGMENTED CHORDS. THE TUNING CAN BE CHECKED CLOSELY AT EVERY
POINT AND THE CONSTANT ENHARMONIC CHECKS WILL NOT ALLOW THE ERRORS
A above, a fifth to correspond to first
OF JUDGMENT TO ACCUMULATE
E tuned K.B.C.l, then C#— K.B.C-5 in
the key of A major A.C#E A. keeping
sure A# and E# will sound smooth to
close as you can to E-. Bb K.B.C. 4—
it would be impossible to judge the
A and E—two fifths, also F and A# a
or A* and Bb winds up the rounds of
range of another's hearing, whether he
fourth should be on the plus side of
intervals and chords to be tempered,
be a pianist or a tuner.
interval, the F above could be shaded
pnd a final test.
Many indeed have no ear for music,
to favor G# a sixth and a third C# in
Bb - A# should have all the promi-
nor can they sing in harmony wilh
key of A. The main idea of equal tem-
nence when connected with G as a ma-
others. Vocalists who have a tendency
perament is to obtain a smooth scale in
jor sixth K.B.C.3 a minor third and a
to sing sharp are not uncommon.
all keys—fitting all the intervals neatly
perfect fourth. F-A the major third in
Piano tuning is not only an art but
into the octaves.
the key of F, F.A.C-F, can be tried with
a
science.
the chords F-A#-D-F or E#, then be
In summing up the situation, in brief,
(Turn Over)
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, JULY, 1952
53
Music Trade Review -- © mbsi.org, arcade-museum.com -- digitized with support from namm.org
The hearing, however, predominates,
although fine tuning can be proved by
mathematical formula.
Tuners use harmony, although few
of them know much about it.
C- to F# is an interval of an aug-
mented fourth. C to Fb is a diminished
fifth, B# and E# and all the modifica-
tions of the same tone through the use
of signs, is accomplished by the tuner's
JOIN
NAPT CONVENTION
(Continued From Pae 48)
THE
NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
REG. U. S. PAT. OFF.
keen sense of judging tone distance.
A fine musical ear. a fair knowledge
of intervals, a goodly amount of prac-
tice at the keyboard . . . keep doing
your best to overcome the obstructions
that may come by the way of working
on neglected instruments, low of pitch
and requiring the sad need of action
regulating; lastly, become a member of
a tuners' organization, to get acquainted
and share the practical experiences of
the older members.
Q f
PIANO TUNERS
Organized To Maintain The Highest Tech-
nical And Professional Standards In The
Practice Of Piano Service.
Originators of a Nation-Wide System of
Qualified Piano Service Identified by a
Membership Certificate of "REGISTERED
TUNER and REBUILDER of Pianos." This
certificate is issued each year for the pro-
tection of the Tuner and his Clientele.
NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF
PIANO TUNERS
MEMBERSHIP OFFICE:
957 EAST 78th ST., CLEVELAND 3, OHIO
TUNERS' JOURNAL OFFICE:
430 OGLETHORPE ST., N.W., WASH. 11, D.C.
READ THE TUNERS' JOURNAL
play: Steinway & Sons, New York;
Baldwin Piano Co., Cincinnati; Ru-
dolph Wurlitzer Co., DeKalb, 111.;
Wood & Brooks Co., Buffalo, N. Y.;
Russell Piano Parts; Schaff Piano
String Co., Chicago, 111.; Otto R. Trefz,
Jr., Inc., Philadelphia; Lester Piano
Mfg. Co., Philadelphia, and the Na-
tional Piano Corp., New York.
The present officers of the N.A.P.T.
are J. E. Kohl, President, Ohio; Anson
D. Overdorff, Vice-President and Editor
of the "Tuners Journal", Tacoma Park,
Md.; F. X. Friedel, Treasurer and
M e mb e r s h i p Chairman, Cleveland,
Ohio; Laban A. Nichols, Publicity Di-
rector, Toledo, Ohio; and James H.
Alverson, Jr., Director, Pine Lake, Ga.
Visit Dampp-Chaser at NAMM Convention. Room 518, New Yorker
STOPS
• STICKING PIANO AND ORGAN KEYS
• SLUGGISH ACTION
• DAMPNESS
•RUST
DAMPP-CHASER
ELECTRIC HEATER
MANPOWER
ORGAN SALESMAN
WANTED
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Must have car. Fine opportunity. As-
sured future. Write full particulars—
experience—references—to O. H. Bow-
man, Manager Organ Division, BIRKEL
RICHARDSON CO., 730 West 7th St.,
Los Angeles 17, California.
For
Sale
MUSIC STORE In Norfolk, Va. area
grossed $200,000 last year. Sells instru-
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musical instruction along with repair
work. Has 2 retail outlets on busy inter-
sections. Price of fully equipped business
& $50,000 approx. invty is. $100,000.
No. 2H-NT69I9. Chas. Ford & Assoc,
Inc. Dept. 2261, I'O N. Clark, Chicago 2,
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TUNING PINS
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DESCRIPTIVE LITERATURE
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BOX
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Visit Dampp-Chaser at NAMM Convention. Room 518, New Yorker
54
GRAND LEGS
always in stock with
top pieces bored for
metal fittings — all ex-
pertly sandpapered. Also
furnished with casters,
ferrules and plates on
orders.
Kiln-Dried Lumber used exclusive-
ly. Write for detals. Best prices
and immedi te shipment.
Round, Square, Octagon, or spe-
cial designed legs made to order
frcm your sketch, or sample, for
spinet or upright pianos.
Paragon Woodturnivg Co., Inc.
431 W. 28th St., N. Y. 1, N. Y-
THE MUSIC TRADE REVIEW, JULY. 1952

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