RBSTO
ESSENTIAL SKILL OF THE TUNER
IN PRESERVATION OF THE PIANO
An Indispensable Part of the Instrument's Upkeep and Care Too Little
Understood by the Public or Even by the
Average Dealer.
By Henry Francis Peltier
(This is the first of a series of articles on an im-
portant subject, by a practical piano tuner, in which
there is instruction for workers in every branch ot
the music business.—Ed. Presto.)
SECRET OF TONE PRODUCTION.
At the request of many friends, and others, I have
agreed to write my experiences, with advice as to
the care of pianos and player-pianos.
In what follows I have tried to impart informa-
tion of real value, some of which has taken years of
practical work and study to obtain, for the owner,
harmonizer, salesman, manager and shopman. I
have written this information so clearly that it can
be easily understood, with a view also to keeping it
ever alive with the interest of an absorbing subject.
To receive audibly the fine interpretation of Music
(practically an unknown language as yet) it is abso-
lutely necessary that true and clear tones emanate
from any instrument or voice by which it is given
expression. There must be clear, resonant and mel-
low tones—the same conditions that prevail when
you hear a speaker talk—a trained voice, easily un-
derstood in any part of a hall or gathering, speaking
with little effort, but with strong carrying power.
So it is with stringed instruments, or with any
article that produces musical sounds.
All string, brass, reed and steel bells must be
tuned at intervals of from five minutes to several
months. Stringed instruments must be tuned or
harmonized (the proper word) at, or before, every
performance; sometimes during the performance.
Violins become inharmonious when the strings
become stretched from the actions of the fingers;
if the fingers of the performer become "sweaty" or
damp, the gut strings will soon break; the strings
also become "fuzzy," caused by the friction of fingers
when sliding along the strings. That is why some
violinists must use steel wire for the "E" or fourth
string.
What Causes Discord.
All instruments become inharmonious (out of
tune) from atmospheric conditions, as heat, dryness,
cold, dampness, etc. Sudden changes of temperature
will ruin some instruments, as far as their musical
value is concerned.
There is no instrument yet produced that will rr-
main harmonious (in tune) indefinitely, not even
solid steel orchestra bells. No human being can
overcome the laws of Deity—what we call weather,
dampness, dryness, heat, cold, light, darkness, and
all other conditions of this wonderful planet of which
we are inhabitants. So why expect an article or
instrument, made by humans, to remain as perfect
as it was when it left him, for all time? 1 said "per-
fect," but I meant near-perfect, for humans are far
from perfection yet, and so, of course, no instru-
ment made by man is perfect.
Stringed instruments, such as violins, violas, cellos,
basses, mandolins, guitars, ukuleles, etc., have from
four to eight strings.
Brass and reed instruments have only one mouth-
piece; the different notes are produced by different
lengths of air passages, caused by valves operated
or manipulated by the fingers of the performer.
A piano has approximately two hundred and six-
teen (216) strings, producing, when properly har^
monized (tuned), eighty-eight (88) distinct tones,
or notes.
These tones are produced by vibrating steel sfrings,
which are highly tempered. These strings will break
when bent sharply three to four times, if they are
properly tempered.
These strings are brought up to a very high ten-
sion and combined have a pull on the frame of the
piano of approximately sixteen (16) tons, thirty-two
thousand pounds. STOP AND THINK FOR A
MOMENT.
Every string is near to the breaking point at this
tension, when harmonized to international pitch.
It is necessary that the strings be brought to this
tension iir order for them to impart their strongest
vibration to the sound or amplifying board, com-
monly called sound-board, thereby producing the
best '|tial ly of tone.
The Laws of Vibration.
Different tensions produce variable vibrations; vi-
brations produce tone when imparted to resonator or
sound board, where they are gathered. Different
speeds of vibrations produce different tones. Dif-
ferent tones, or vibrations, combined produce pulsa-
t'or.s (known as harmony). These pulsations are
the beginning of music. Until you can hear these
pulsations, you are not a finished musician.
These pulsations are wonderful to hear. They
have the same effect, to the ear, as a beautiful scene
of blending colors.
Think of the most beautiful scene you can recall;
that scene or picture will give to you, or visualize,
a truly harmonized or tuned piano, organ, or com-
bination of instruments properly played.
Like fall-time in the woods, the beautiful blend-
ings of the different colors are wonders to see and
study.
A well harmonized, or tuned, instrument, well
played, has the same effect to the ear as the blend-
ings of colors in the woods to the eye and mind.
When you hear a good quartette sing, you have
a great desire to hear them indefinitely. WHY?
Because one combination of chords (harmonies) pro-
duce endless combinations of wonderful blendings
of pulsations, or visualize scenes of great variety
and beauty.
When you hear a bad combination of chords, or
pulsations, it produces a very uncomfortable sensa-
tion; on the other hand a perfect tone blending pro-
duces a quieting effect.
In order to keep the piano or other instrument in
proper condition to produce these effects harmoni-
ously—to produce these fine blendings and pulsa-
tions—it is necessary that the instrument be kept
in good harmony within itself. And this is true-more
espccial'y of pianos and other stringed instruments.
The Piano Out of Tune.
Pianos must be harmonized at regular intervals
owing to the great strain put on the frame of the
piano (32 000 pounds). It is a wonder that they stay
as well as they do.
A great many owners of instruments, including
teachers and musicians, do not know when an instru-
ment, or piano, is out of tune or inharmonious.
How, then, are the untrained ears of owners to kno"v
when to have their pianos harmonized, or tuned ?
It is the dealer's duty to inform the buyer when
purchasing the instrument, when to have it tuned.
A piano which is inharmonious is like a person
with a bad .cold trying to make a speech. You hear
them, but not as they should be heard.
Visualize the thought.
Can you see dist ; nctly through a dirty window
glass or see your reflection plainly in a sordid mir-
October 23, 1920.
W. L. BUSH APPRECIATES
FRIENDSHIP TOKENS
Well Known Piano Man, Recovering from Ef-
fects of Fall, Writes to Presto in His
Usual Entertaining Vein.
When W. L. Bush, president of the Bush & Gerts
Piano Co., Chicago, and president of the Bush &
Gerts Piano Company of Texas, with headquarters
at Dallas, received his Presto last week he
smiled
reminiscently. The portrait accompanying 1 a report
of his recent accident sent his memory to memorable
days in the industry when the grim look preserved
by the old halftone cut was characteristic with him.
"The cut," writes Mr. Bush, "dates back to the
days of the bitter fight that was waged against the
stencil piano and for the general uplift and better-
ment of the trade, in which, although a compara-
tively young man, I, thank God, can claim to have
been one of the pioneers. But I want you to know
that my face has lost a great deal of that grim and
determined fighting expression and that I have dis-
covered that honey is far more palatable than gall
and wormwood."
That Mr. Bush has by this time resumed his ac-
tivities will be pleasant news to his host of friends.
"At the sanitarium," his letter continues, "I had the
reputation of being a most obedient and well be-
haved patient and succeeded in getting out of bed
on the fourth day. I spent four more days in a
wheel chair, when I was discharged as able to look
after myself with a pair of sound limbs and one good
arm. The broken ribs and broken arm will, I be-
lieve, soon be forgotten and the activities in which I
have such delight, at least, be partially resumed."
When Dallas celebrated Music Day, Mr. Bush was
a patient at the sanitarium. But the general cele-
bration extended to the institution and an excellent
quartette cheered patients, doctors and nurses. That
he appreciates the thoughtfulness of Chicago friends
is told in his letter:
"Now, I received today a very beautiful floral
tribute, accompanied by a card of the Chicago Piano
Club, and no words can express the appreciation and
satisfaction of such a tribute from home at such a
time. And, believe me, I will let the boys know my
full measure
of thanks and appreciation.
"Whi 1 e I was at the Sanitarium I had a beautiful
horticultural exhibit in my room representing me-
mentos from many friends and organizations, in-
cluding the local music trade industries, the Rotary
Club, Mutual Club, and the Young Men's Bible
Class with which I have been affiliated here in Dal-
las. You will observe that it is the 'Young Men's
Bible Class.'
"I have been twitted a great deal since I left the
sanitarium regarding the cause of my accident, as to
whether I carried it in my hip pocket or whether I
was wearing it inside? Where I got it? What
brand it was? Whether the bottle broke, etc., etc.
The fact of the matter is, that T was bone-dry at the
time and that only a souse can successfully roll
down several flights of stairs without injury. I am
getting along fine and hope to be in Chicago within
thirty days."
A modern musical instrument salesroom has been
opened at 116 East Jackson street, Muncie, Ind., by
the Pearson Piano company. T. B. Reddington is in
charge. An informal opening will be held within
a short time.
ror? Of course you cannot. So with a piano that is
inhormonious or out of tune. You hear it.
But it is as hard to distinguish true tones (prac-
tically impossible), as it is to hear an individual
speak among a great many others.
Did you ever try to distinguish a particular sound
among a great many others?
You will find that it requires great concentration
of mind and a long time to train the ear.
Such is the mind of the harmonizer, or tuner.
Great concentration of mind to the ear, to secure the
right pulsations, so he can harmonize them to their
proper relations.
Strings and Reeds.
The harmonizing of pianos is harder than organs.
An organ gives a continuous sound, caused by the
vibrating reeds. A piano gives a short tone.
Harmonizing an organ is much easier than a piano.
The continuous vibrating reed gives forth a con-
tinuous sound, or tone, the blending of the pulsa-
tions can be selected at random. With a piano, the
ear must be trained for several years before it can
become efficient, and true pulsations can be detected
from over-tones. The ear must be quick to observe
the "trueness" of the wire, whether e'ear or false,
and to allow for defects, and eliminate them from
his hearing, when seeking the fundamental tone or
pulsations.
(Continued next week.)
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