I came across this new video produced by Frank:

Definitely a very nice overview of pianoscope and a nice tutorial on how to use it. I've personally had fantastic success learning how to tune my own pianos with this software.

The beauty of it all is that there are many choices of such software out there, such as PianoMeter and PiaTune. It's really remarkable how much progress has been made in terms of making piano tuning accessible to all.

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Beach L168, Wish, baCh, WOW Petrof, Fake Steinway, VS
TIME

    Maybe I should try it as well. I use the Entropy app, but it doesn't work great for the lowest and highest octaves so I tune those by ear. But I find it difficult to tune the lowest bass strings by ear.

    navindra I watched the video, it looks interesting!

    Now you've got me thinking. My new tech hasn't done a tuning I like yet (but I like him and want to keep him) and we think it needs more stretch. This is how I learned about different pianos having different inharmonicity and how perfect 12ths on a Steinway doesn't mean the same stretch on a Bösendorfer! 🤯

    The previous guy I tried just put "perfect 12ths" in his app and I liked the tuning. But I suspect he had it on the Steinway setting which gives a good amount of stretch. Anyway, my tech said he thinks he knows what app the other guy uses and will try to replicate his settings. He's coming to tune after my trip.

    How long did it take you to tune your piano when you started out with your fancy hammer? I'm still not sure I have the patience for it, but it would also be really nice not to always rely on someone else!

        twocats Yes, I'm just happy to own my destiny now. I've had all kinds of experiences with tuners but I finally have a way of reproducing exactly the tuning I want, any time I want. I know what I like and I know what I don't like, but no experience or insight beyond that!

        It takes me a really long time to tune. I think I'm down to 3-4 hours, so it's definitely a project. However, I also go against the grain, disregard advice, and break the rules in this regard. It's just to make it easier on myself, and hopefully I don't break anything else!

        For example, when a tuning is really important to me e.g. I'm doing it for a recording, I strive to get it all done in one day. If not, I don't mind doing it over several days... I've asked Frank for features that I think help with this and he has obliged. For example, when resuming a tuning, I measure the notes I previously tuned against A440 and if they drift, I just update A to match the new measurement. I generally check my work for consistency as well. Folks have explained that it doesn't make sense to tune over several days, but it works for me, and makes my life easy.

        And anyway, if my tuning doesn't turn out right for whatever reason — this has only happened when I experiment with other temperaments/settings and don't end up liking them — it's on me to fix it and no one else!

        That is liberating.

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        Beach L168, Wish, baCh, WOW Petrof, Fake Steinway, VS
        TIME

            navindra thanks!! I'm going to see if my new tech can achieve a tuning that brings out the best in my piano. I think it may be extra stretch that makes it really sing!

            Otherwise I may investigate other options. The thought of spending many hours tuning (and perhaps frustrated and annoyed) when I could be practicing doesn't appeal to me. Plus I think I might need my tech's voicing skills often, depending on what I'm working on. My current project is pretty hard on a few of the hammers.

            At least it's nice to know I have options 🙂