FAQ What is tuning?

[FAQ's]

Tuning is the process by which the piano is brought into sonic regulation with itself. The process of tuning is a multi-stage process. The tuner begins by setting the instrument to the pitch to which it is to be tuned. He then performs the setting of he "temperament." This is the 12-note pattern that governs the entire tuning of the piano. It is based on a mathematical formula that dictates that all the notes in this 12 note pattern be spaced equally apart in distance from each other. This "scale" has been worked out by musicians down the years, and become to be known as "Equal temperament." This is the formula by which instrumentation in the west has been tuned for the last 150 years. The tuner accomplishes this task of setting the temperament by applying a series of tests that are part of his training. Thus, a good aural tuner can set up a piano from but one reference point. A good aural tuner needs no additional instrumentation, but some have resorted to electronic tuning aids. This isn't to infer that these are inferior, but it is suggested that a tuner have a strong degree of training in aural tuning before attempting to rely on such.


Robin Foster MABPT
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