Piano Tuning - How to Tune A Piano Part 6 - Tuning the Unisons I HOWARD PIANO INDUSTRIES

[@alexrivera.churchpianist]

What is a concert piano tuning?

[@howardpianoind]

It’s just a term used to refer to a very good tuning up to the level that would be expected by concert pianists.

[@sicmonic]

Very awesome! Thank you. You are very fast!

[@ThePupil]

Great Videos! Question. We have an old old upright piano with no real value other than my GF liking the looks. We had a tuner over and he said it would take quite a few tunings before it is kind of playable. That would get quite costly therefore we'd like to start with tuning ourselves. How many cent can i go up per tune? I'd like to tune it every month or so, or every 2 weeks. Currently it is half a note flat (or slightly more)

[@howardpianoind]

You could raise it up in one pitchraise and then do a fine tuning afterwards.

[@ThatMomentWhenBand]

Thanks for sharing all of your knowledge! I have a question. During a standard tuning (considering the instrument is in good condition) do you typically reset each string as you do in this video - or if you come across a string that is at the correct frequency do you let it be?

[@howardpianoind]

Typically, it's rare that a string is exactly on pitch, but in those cases where it does happen, I wouldn't adjust it.

[@maxaudibert5793]

Hello, great tutorial, thank you. when you insert the triangle black mute, do you also lift the pedale up?

[@howardpianoind]

When you are tuning the high treble section depress the damper pedal to lift the dampers from the strings, insert the mute, release the pedal, and tune. Repeat the process when removing the mute to avoid damage to the damper felts. Thanks for watching!

[@jamesbigfan364]

Hi! After warching this series I've tried to tune one trichord as a unison (A4) it took me 1 hour, just one note, and you rocked them like if they were butter! Is there a technique on that or does it come from experience? Also my stability just doesn't work.

[@howardpianoind]

Mostly just practice will make that easier. It takes a lot of time to learn how to more easily here the beats and tune the note well. There is one thing I can suggest that might make it easier for you to hear what you're tuning. We offer Vibes earplugs on our website, and they are designed to protect the musician's ears while keeping clarity. Because of their design, I find that when I use them it helps me to hear the notes in the unison more easily. If you're interested, here's the link on our store: www.howardpianoindustries.com/vibes-earplugs-for-piano-tuning/

[@miscelaneusman]

What are the differences between a basic tuning like this and a concert level tuning?

[@howardpianoind]

Concert level tunings take more into consideration. Room size, two passes, minor regulations, etc. It's a higher quality tuning intended to provide optimal piano function during performance. Thanks for watching!

[@bepriceless]

So, the tuning of left and right strings is by ear and not using the tuning device? If you don't trust your ear can you use the device?

[@howardpianoind]

Yes, tuning the other two notes of a unison has to be done by ear. Typically this will create better sounding unisons.

[@bepriceless]

@@howardpianoind Thank you.

[@jamesbigfan364]

​@@bepricelessETDs only listen to one string, you have to tune the unisons by ear

[@nettpolice]

Thank you very much for your video, very helpful! We have a Bentley piano with one key Number 69, Bentley 90101, Is that we could replace that key easily...as it is a very old piano..., there is a long crack across the half way of that key...we have been thinking to mend it with a super strong glue, but please let me know your advice... It will be very kind of you. Thank you.

[@azelkoo2204]

Hellow ~ thank you for your good clips. I've been watching your videos after i found these a few days ago . I have a question. I think You tune the piano with listening to overtones .right? Is there a easy way to listen to overtones when you tune the piano and i want to know how to apply it to tuning pianos. It would be really appreciated if you give me the answer.

[@howardpianoind]

Knowing the harmonic series is the first step to using overtones when tuning. The harmonic series is the fundamental of the tone ( the first tone in the harmonic series) This is the note you are playing. The second note in the series is an octove above the fundamental tone. The 3rd note is a fifth above the 2nd note, then a fourth above the 3rd note, then up a major 3rd from there and up a minor 3rd from there, etc... . One trick to use the harmonic series to aid in tuning unisons is to mute one string of a three string unison so that only two strings can speak. Slowly lower and hold down the note you are tuning without striking the string. This lifts the damper off the string allowing it to vibrate. Now, with the key held down strike a note in this notes harmonic series such as an octave and fifth above with a staccato blow. You will here this pitch linger on as the harmonic has been sympathetically activated on the fundamental tone. If the unison is slightly off you will hear beating or waves in the unison at this higher pitch. The higher the pitch you use the faster the beating will be. This allow for more precise tuning of the unison because if you tune the higher beating harmonics cleanly all the lower partials will be lined up in perfect tune.

[@azelkoo2204]

@@howardpianoind thank you very much !!! Amazing ~ i 've never thought i can get a answer back from you. And i am so impressed. You gave me the long and good explanation .i've already learned about harmonics .i am going to do what you explain . Thanks again. See you~~

[@azelkoo2204]

Thank you for your long answer. Actually, i don't think i asked you the right question that i wanted to know. because Of my poor english. Now i want to know the right sound when you tune the piano at your patron's places. For example, when you tune piano with harmonics using the tunelab. I don't think you just see the machine (tunelab) to tune right? I think you tune the piano with harmonics . Now if you get the good and right sound for the first string of the three strings. It is going be very good and get stronger sound than other strings(before tuned) and then you could tune unisons . Now your first note that you just tuned is nice, deeper and strong sound. Could you show me the way you tune the first string of the three string for the first note and explain what you are going to hear the harmonics . Thanks again~~

[@toomuchfandango]

Excellent videos thank you! Could you please make a video on using the red damping tape, it just looks like you dampened all of them. For a beginner. it's not very clear on how you dampen just what you need; and the camera is far away, so can't really see what you did. Thanks again, great videos!

[@howardpianoind]

Basically I just put the felt between the outside strings of each note so the middle string of each note is still able to vibrate.

[@froz3ncat]

If it helps, he shows how he does it in the previous video in the series, part 5!

[@couchphotography8861]

@@howardpianoind Just figured it out by looking at the felt description on your website! Thanks, (that was a little tricky to visualise, but now I get it!) Have borrowed a good kit from someone, so when I have to return it, I will purchase one of yours. Absolute beginner, LOL

[@papercuz6656]

For the three strings per note, which one do we know to tune, and are you supposed to tune the middle string.

[@lasseelectronics8914]

howardpianoind i'm wondering - how can i assure myself not to break the piano strings? I have family members with pianos - and of cause - I don't want to break the strings on them. Do you have a tecnique for tuning, so the string doesn't break? If you normally would tune A435 og A440, and it snaps - would it be my fault, or could it be the age of the piano and should therfore be sent to a professional technician? I'm very afraid of it. I don't want to destroy the piano due to overtuning or anything else. Hoping for an answer. Regards.

[@lasseelectronics8914]

i found an article: "A piano tuner would need to raise the pitch of a piano by almost 4 or 5 notes before it would break. So when a string breaks while the piano is being tuned, it usually because of other problems." is that a true statement? Can the piano handle the piano? For a more secure tuning of fx. an old piano, I should there fore raise it little my little i suppose? Regards

[@lasseelectronics8914]

can the piano handle the tuning* i meant

[@howardpianoind]

There isn't a way to be assured that you won't break a string. Even the most experienced technicians will have strings break on them from time to time. I tend to break a string a about once a year it seems. With the right technique, you can reduce the risk of breaking a string though.

[@lasseelectronics8914]

I beg you please, make a video about how to reduce the risk of breaking a string! Your videos are very interesting - and you have a good way of explaining the things.

[@cb9345]

@@lasseelectronics8914 The less you move the string, the better. Don't go more than a little above or below where you're supposed to. If you notice, in the video, he goes just barely above or below the note where he wants to be.

[@DavidFackeure]

Hello, Thank's for your videos... Can you tell me the order in which you are tunning the notes. Do you start with the A4 then you go up to the high, and you end up starting from the G # 4 to the low notes? Thank's David

[@howardpianoind]

The order I go in is to start tuning at A4 and tune down to the tenor/bass break. Then I tune from A#4 up to the treble break. I then go back and do the unisons for that section. Then I tune the high treble and last I tune the bass. There are other ways to go about it. I recently talked with another technician in my PTG chapter that said the piano is more stable if you start at A0 and work your way up to the top.

[@DavidFackeure]

thank's a lot...

[@couchphotography8861]

@@howardpianoind Hi where is A0 please! Is it the first one after middle C?

[@cb9345]

@@couchphotography8861 A0 is the very bottom note on the piano.

[@maulcs]

My issue is the tuning being stable - even when attempting to "set the pin" it won't stay in tune for long. Probably more of a piano issue.

[@geoffrey5239]

Unless I have missed it you do not say what exactly you are listening for when tuning the unisons. Please say.

[@howardpianoind]

As the two strings get close to being in tune, you will hear a wave or beat in the tone. You want to get this to where there is not beating in the tone. This is hard to describe, but hopefully you can hear this in the video.

[@geoffrey5239]

@@howardpianoind Thanks for that - I had suspected that you were aiming for a particular beat rate. If the beat does need to be zero I do not understand why software could not be used to identify this point. Is there a problem in doing this?

[@howardpianoind]

When tuning with the app, there will be some fluctuation in the pitch a slight amount so it’s not like the pitch locks on to 0.00 cents. This makes it difficult to tune the unisons by ear.

[@geoffrey5239]

@@howardpianoind So if its difficult to tune the unisons by ear why can it not be done by software ?

[@howardpianoind]

A person wouldn't be able to get the unisons as pure by using the software compared to doing it by ear.

[@jamus1217]

The tuning pins in my piano don't work this well. They're kind of stuck, and then jumpy and squeaky.

[@howardpianoind]

Occasionally you’ll come across a piano with “jumpy” pins. These are more difficult to tune.

[@ian20n]

@@howardpianoind Do you think that in this case, it is a good idea to replace the pins? Or maybe add them Metal Tuning Pin Bushings?

[@howardpianoind]

I haven't ever experimented with this, but you could try replacing the pin to see if it makes a difference, but to replace all of the pins for the problem would be a lot of work.

[@luanlovelyman]

Its harder when you get an old piano and its hard to rotate the pin

[@funsponge1238]

Ikr

[@rodneylee4026]

New pianos the pins are even tighter.

[@skatonio]

Maybe I missed something.... why do we tune one string per key and then go back and do the others. I just figured you would tune all three strings for the same key at the same time

[@howardpianoind]

One of the main reasons is that it is more efficient to tune one string per note and then go back and tune the unisons.

[@cb9345]

It's easier to be more accurate and test the proper intervals between octaves going up and down the piano with one string. Then, after you get that relationship correct, you tune the other one or two strings to the properly tuned string.

[@amezcuaist]

Now if I was a Director of videos , I would ask you to redo the section where you explain which string is damped with the red tape. This time you have to be ultra clear about Which is Left and Which is Right. Be like John Wayne --"Now listen to me and listen Good. Cos I`m only gonna tell you the Once". But I liked the video and it`s a good example of why an impact hammer would work well . Not the one you used here . The pattern of tuning pins is my worst nightmare . It`s all slanted sideways .