Wendy Galovich wrote:
Might this variation in the harmonics also explain another phenomenon: two
instruments are tuned using the same electronic tuner, and when checked
against that, appear that they're in tune with each other, and each one
sounds in tune by itself, but.. when played together, they sound *out of
tune* with each other. Could the differences in the harmonics of individual
instruments create that effect, if the tuner is measuring the fundamental?
I'm not a big fan of electronic tuners either - my favorite tuning device
is a tuning fork.. no batteries to run down, and no annoying little needle
jumping around alternately indicating both sharp and flat on the same string.
I like electronic tuners - all the players at our session use them at
home, and you can turn up and find everyone is in tune. Compare that
with 20 years ago when you could turn up at a club and find no-one
really in tune with each other unless they went outside and sorted it.
I find that my electronic tuner is sensitive to open strings ringing, so
I have to damp all the other strings. It does pick up harmonics and can
suddenly jump to a fifth in error, especially if the strings aren't damped.
I do adjust my guitar tunings after using the electronic tuner. Each
instrument needs slightly different tweaking to sound right. The same
applies to various friends' instruments - you can not just centre the
needle on all strings and hope for perfect intervals all the way up the
neck. That needs 'tempering' to iron out minor flaws in the instrument's
build. My best guitar for accuracy without this fine tuning is probably
the Lowden O-10.
Also, I tune my wife's clarsach, and BOY does an electronic tuner help
get THAT one sorted quickly and correctly! Same goes for an autoharp I
have. Without this very inexpensive device it would take hours of
adjustment by ear to get right. I can tune the autoharp in about five
minutes with the electronic tuner. Guess the same would go for hammered
dulcimer or any other multi-string, unfretted instrument.
David
Posted to Scots-L - The Traditional Scottish Music Culture List - To
subscribe/unsubscribe, point your browser to: http://www.tullochgorm.com/lists.html
