Yeomanthefirst
23 posts
Feb 04, 2014
12:14 PM
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This might seem like a very naïve question to guys out there who do this regularly so bear with me. I have a digital tuner, calibrated in cents. I have several Crossovers and Marine Bands that are out of tune. I'm happy to settle for the Crossover, so-called, 'compromise' tuning for the time being. Where do I go from here? What I mean is, what do I use for reference? I've got as far as understanding that I set the tuner on 442 - but now what? There are only cents on the tuner and no notes etc.I have a range of keys that need retuning. Any very simple advice would be much appreciated.
Anthony
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JInx
725 posts
Feb 04, 2014
1:12 PM
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which notes are out of tune?
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Sun, sun, sun
Burn, burn, burn
Soon, soon, soon
Moon, moon, moon
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arzajac
1279 posts
Feb 04, 2014
3:13 PM
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It's easier to set the tuner to a different reference pitch and aim for zero than to keep it at 442 and try to get an accurate offset, like thirds at -12, etc...
Try this: Tune a harmonica using your ears and a simple chromatic tuner
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
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Yeomanthefirst
24 posts
Feb 07, 2014
5:31 AM
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Thanks arzajac, the charts on your link are very clear. So just to check that I have this correct before I start filing; if I use for instance, the Marine Band chart, I can tune any key harp back to close to its original tuning by just using that reverence? I do take your point that ears are the final check
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Adam Hamil
131 posts
Feb 07, 2014
7:28 AM
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@arzajac With all due respect, I completely disagree. The problem with using you reference pitch to get certian intervals is that hz are exponential where as Cents are linear. This means that as you go higher in pitch (say an F harp) your ratios b/t notes will be more compressed, or closer together by a few cents. And in the other direction, going lower means the ratios will stretch slightly, or be farther apart by a few cents.
When I'm tuning I set my reference pitch and leave it. I use the scale of cents on the tuner to get the notes very close to where I want them, then use my ears to get them exactly correct. Listening for difference and sumation tones is the best way to make sure your tuning is accurate. No tuner will ever tell you that. You have to use your ears.
As far as Arzajac's "order of operations" I will tune in almost the exact same order. I just use cents rather than Hz b/c I belive it to be more accurate, scientifically speaking.
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C. Adam Hamil
HOHNER CERTIFIED Free Reed Instrument Technician
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arzajac
1280 posts
Feb 07, 2014
9:13 AM
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Yeomanthefirst: Well, tuning by chart is not effective. The lower the harp, the greater the difference in cents you will need to leave between octaves because longer reeds are more susceptible to play at lower pitches as you increase your breath force. So a set value (or setting them all to the same value in cents) doesn't give you consistent results.
Adam: I agree with what you are saying but I believe a chromatic tuner set to A4=440 uses that note as a point of reference. Not an absolute value. If it did, you would need twelve chromatic tuners each set at their own reference point. For example, you would need a tuner set to F5=699 to tune your Fs...
If I set my tuner to A4=443, I don't think it's just adding three MHz to every note (F5=701). I think it follows the log scale and F5 would probably be 700.2 or something. I don't know off-hand. But my point is that I agree Mhz are absolutes and are not useful in tuning, but a chromatic tuner doesn't really use Mhz other than to set the reference pitch and it slides everything up or down accordingly.
1MHz does not equal about four cents. Except when you use A4=440 as a reference.
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Custom overblow harps. Harmonica service and repair.
Last Edited by arzajac on Feb 07, 2014 9:15 AM
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Kingley
3446 posts
Feb 07, 2014
9:23 AM
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There is no real right or wrong way to tune a harp. The way I do it is I usually set my tuner to A=443 and then tune using the cents marks on the tuner and like Adam I use my ears for the fine tuning. Works for me. As for the order of tuning, it just depends on my mood. Sometimes I'll tune by octaves and sometimes I'll tune each note on the harp in turn and use a reference chart. Either way gives good results in my experience. The main thing is to always use your ears to check, things sound right. I always test by ear using the octaves.
Last Edited by Kingley on Feb 07, 2014 9:23 AM
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