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Note Consistency During Tuning

3 replies [Last post]
Thu, 09/07/2017 - 14:21
Alex Hall
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Hey Kinya,

I've been trying to retune a harmonica from 12TET to 19limit JI. I've got a tuning app (instuner) for iOS and it lets me create my own temperaments, which I've done.

The problem I'm finding is that, even with the damping turned all the way up, the tuning needle still oscilates by about 3 cents in either direction. And, more frustrating than that, the tuning changes during a long breath and will also change between breaths (often by as much as 10cents and sometimes even higher). I know that the reeds may need a little warming up after removing brass and that the accumulation of saliva will flatten the reeds, so I'm giving the reeds time to warm up and tapping out the spit regularly. I still can't get consistency.

Fortunately, I've got a spare harp that I've been practicing on. May have already killed 2 reeds by accident =/. 

I expect that the issue lies with my breathing. Do you have any suggestions on how to get the note to be consistent from one breath to the next? At this point, I'm chasing a moving target.

Could it be a problem with my tuner?

 

I know there are tuning tables and whatnot, but I'm not in a place where I can or want to spend that kind of money.

 

Thanks!

-Alex

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Sun, 09/10/2017 - 17:30
#1
Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture
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Hi Alex, good to hear from

Hi Alex, good to hear from you. I feel your pain Brother, this can be damn frustrating. I can not speak for Instuner, but many of us have found the iOS Clear Tuner to be consistently easy and accurate to use.

But regardless of the chromatic tuner, I would recommend the following (assuming you can play solid octaves) methodology:

  1. referring to your iOS tuner, lower your 5+ (5 Blow) to your desired JI recipe that you are using ... this will become your reference tone
  2. next step is to not look at your tuner, then play 2+ (2 Blow) and 5+ (5 Blow) at the same time ... flat tune your 2+ until the obvious "beats" disappear from your listening
  3. when you reach the point you think you have erased the beats, keep flattening the 2+ until the beats return (this method is similar to tuning a string instrument--stretching past the note, then slowly returning to the desired note) ... now sharpen the 2+ reed until the beats disappear again.
  4. again, using your 5+ as your reference (anchor) note, repeat the above procedure for 8+ (8 Blow)
  5. next, establish your reference tone for 5 (5 Draw)
  6. then octave up to 9 (9 Draw) ... repeat the stretching strategy
  7. next, establish your reference tone for 3 (3 Draw)
  8. then octave up to 7 (7 Draw) ... repeat the stretching strategy

With patience, you will be surprised at how good your "ear tuning" skill will be get with this methodology.

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

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Mon, 09/11/2017 - 14:39
#2
Alex Hall
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Thanks Kinya,   This is

Thanks Kinya,

 

This is similar to what I've read by Andrew Zajac. What I'd misunderstood until now is how little the tuner comes into it. Is there a way to measure how well the thirds and fifths sound relative to one another? I imagine there will be beating between them no matter what. Do we aim to reduce the beating? Do we just rely on the tuner for those relationships?

I'm going for 19-Limit JI if that makes any difference.

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Tue, 09/12/2017 - 07:47
#3
Harp Tech Kinya...
Harp Tech Kinya Pollard's picture
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Hi Alex, with JI

Hi Alex, with JI tuning--you'll find your chords will naturally beat less (smoother). Check against the root note of the harmonica in the intended key (e.g. 1st, 2nd, 3rd).

Your Harpsmith, Kinya

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