| Welcome to The New Coffee Room. We hope you enjoy your visit. You're currently viewing our forum as a guest. This means you are limited to certain areas of the board and there are some features you can't use. If you join our community, you'll be able to access member-only sections, and use many member-only features such as customizing your profile, sending personal messages, and voting in polls. Registration is simple, fast, and completely free. Join our community! If you're already a member please log in to your account to access all of our features: |
| Tuning the Stein Way | |
|---|---|
| Tweet Topic Started: Feb 27 2009, 07:17 PM (309 Views) | |
| kenny | Feb 27 2009, 07:17 PM Post #1 |
|
HOLY CARP!!!
|
Today UWO finally taught us how Steinway wants their pianos tuned. I tried it today on a Steinway L grand. It really sounds good, but it is soooo different from the tuning technique that we have honed on the last 18-zillion pianos. It really brought out that classic Steinway sound that we all know and love. This is so exciting. |
![]() |
|
| plays88keys | Feb 27 2009, 07:21 PM Post #2 |
|
Pisa-Carp
|
You're welcome to come practice on my L any time you want.
|
| You can never get enough of what you don't need to make you happy. | |
![]() |
|
| kenny | Feb 27 2009, 07:25 PM Post #3 |
|
HOLY CARP!!!
|
Aw shucks Plays. I'll bet you say that to all the guys. |
![]() |
|
| George K | Feb 27 2009, 07:27 PM Post #4 |
|
Finally
|
![]() |
|
A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
![]() |
|
| kenny | Feb 27 2009, 07:57 PM Post #5 |
|
HOLY CARP!!!
|
|
![]() |
|
| TomK | Feb 27 2009, 07:59 PM Post #6 |
|
HOLY CARP!!!
|
Hey kenny. You are a DUMB ASS!!!! (kenny can't hear me.) |
![]() |
|
| George K | Feb 27 2009, 08:00 PM Post #7 |
|
Finally
|
Ben Stein, Kenny. Teaching the Stein Way in "Ferris Bueller's Day Off." |
|
A guide to GKSR: Click "Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... " - Mik, 6/14/08 Nothing is as effective as homeopathy. I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles. - Klaus, 4/29/18 | |
![]() |
|
| kenny | Feb 27 2009, 08:01 PM Post #8 |
|
HOLY CARP!!!
|
|
![]() |
|
| Rainman | Feb 27 2009, 10:35 PM Post #9 |
![]()
Fulla-Carp
|
Kenny, what is the "Steinway" difference? Of course at this point, you will need to dumb it down for the rest of us, but how is the process or temperament different? |
![]() |
|
| Phlebas | Feb 28 2009, 06:34 AM Post #10 |
|
Bull-Carp
|
Now he can.
|
|
Random FML: Today, I was fired by my boss in front of my coworkers. It would have been nice if I could have left the building before they started celebrating. FML The founding of the bulk of the world's nation states post 1914 is based on self-defined nationalisms. The bulk of those national movements involve territory that was ethnically mixed. The foundation of many of those nation states involved population movements in the aftermath. When the only one that is repeatedly held up as unjust and unjustifiable is the Zionist project, the term anti-semitism may very well be appropriate. - P*D | |
![]() |
|
| kenny | Feb 28 2009, 06:58 AM Post #11 |
|
HOLY CARP!!!
|
The most noticeable result of the "Stein Way" (Kenny-trademarked term) is a wider stretch. This means the treble will be more sharp and the bass more flat compared to shooting for beatless octaves. Of course this deviation from more conventional equal temperament must be gradual and consistent over the scale. Even when playing just in the center of the keyboard I could hear a difference after tuning the "Stein Way". To me it has a more energetic and perhaps agitated sound. It sizzled and jumped out more. This is from the intervals beating faster than we are used to hearing on a straight up equal temperament. Whether this is more or less desirable is a matter of opinion, but the difference in sound IS profound. Anyone listening will hear it. Besides the Steinway factor, as a tuner we should remain alert to signs of how much tuning stretch each customer may prefer. They may not be aware of it or able to articulate it, but some will prefer more or less stretch. They will not know why but when you leave they may love or dislike your tuning, even if you did an excellent job. Amount of tuning stretch is not absolute, it is relative. An important part of being a tech is effectively dealing with people who do not share your depth of understanding. People will like or not like your tuning though they will not know why, so you either will be called to tune their piano next time or not. The amount of stretch you used may be why. The older client who plays only classical, especially on a Steinway, is more likely to be displeased if you tune their piano for beatless octaves, which results in less stretch. German pianos are said to be designed for and sound better with a more equal temperament, or less stretch. This is a fascinating subject and sure to ignite flame wars among even the best-informed techs. |
![]() |
|
| brenda | Feb 28 2009, 09:21 AM Post #12 |
![]()
..............
|
Kenny, can that type of tuning be used on any piano or just certain types? |
|
“Weeds are flowers, too, once you get to know them.” ~A.A. Milne | |
![]() |
|
| kenny | Feb 28 2009, 10:04 AM Post #13 |
|
HOLY CARP!!!
|
Any type of tuning can be used on any piano. But one opinion I have heard is that the stretch Steinway recommends may sound unpleasant and excessive for German pianos - something about their tonal quality. This subject brings up passionate arguments among those in the industry. |
![]() |
|
| « Previous Topic · The New Coffee Room · Next Topic » |









4:47 PM Jul 10