Recent content by MrTuner

We also have instances of fifths being played purposely out of tune (very slightly) to create tension, like for example Wagner in the trombone section. (No direct experience with this. Just postulating) And then there's the many examples of singers and jazz musicians playing/singing purposely...

As we get close to “perfection” in tuning - pure stretch, matched frequencies, etc - we achieve a “sound” that allows us to express emotion through music, without the imperfection that is always in music getting in the way. But perfection can never be achieved. People have commented, “How...

You are absolutely right! I only give it as a reference. Piano tuners use this reference to try and get ‘close’ when tuning the temperament octave F3-F4.

Depends on your definition of out of tune. When we play a P22 (triple octave) on the piano and the top note is 20 cents sharp of what it should be mathematically, you could say it is out of tune if your definition was a theoretical one. However, if the top note is exactly 8x the bottom...

Good stuff. I'll just clarify: - Harmonics are ideal. The piano is not ideal, so they are called "partials". Same note names, but harmonics have specific frequencies - whole number multiples of the fundamental. Partials do not have that strict a definition. - Upper partials are always sharper in...

Modern piano tuning theory has developed pure 12th stretch tuning. I have a method that can produce pure P11/12/19/22. (That's octave plus P4, octave plus P5, two octaves plus P5, and triple octave. But because of limits in human hearing AND the variability of frequency over the sustain, true...

The difference is small. When playing with a piano, and you are listening (and on a fretless) and care, you are probably lowering it a bit without knowing. In reality, most orchestras are scrambling intonation wise. That's why small professional wind ensembles, like the trombone group someone...

In jazz voicing, we actually leave them out (the fifths and the octave. I.e. Dm9 = F-C-E. The bass plays the root and the fifth provides nothing interesting, as you say.

Yes, you can if you use "Check Intervals", which piano tuners do. Take D4 and A4 for example. The check note is F3, a M6 below the bottom note of a P5. Play F3 with D4, then F3 with A4. Each will beat at A5. If the beats are the same speed, the interval is pure (i.e. when you play D4A4 there...

The term that refers to any interval that does not beat is "Pure", not perfect.

I am a Registered Piano Technician so I have a bit of knowledge on the theory of tuning systems. When you say "describing the 4th and 5th notes of the scale as 'Perfect' is because they are the same in the major scale and the minor scale.", I think you are referring to the intervals? Well, the...