Ah, oops... forgot to tell you Papps Mutes don't work on grands...
Justin, FYI, Papps Mutes don't work on grands.
But, they do work very well on all verticals, including players that I've tuned.
Temperment strips do work on grands; different thicknesses work better on different pianos than on others. And when you come to one where you need the thin strip, believe me, you will be pleased you had it.
All the best in your tuning endeavor,
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Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.comBenPianoPro@comcast.net------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 08-25-2017 19:27
From: Justin Hill
Subject: Muting strings
Thank you all for your input. I have ordered some different mutes (felt, papp's, the extra thin temperament strips; which by the way, don't do crap for grands. Perhaps they will work will in spinets...I have yet to find out. I cannot use the papp's mute in my grand as it keeps falling over, unless I'm not doing something right. I haven't had much time to tune lately, as I've been busy with my current job, but I'll get back to it eventually.
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Justin Hill
Jacksonville IL
tuneworkspianoservice@gmail.com
Original Message:
Sent: 08-14-2017 23:30
From: Paul Klaus
Subject: Muting strings
David: The quick answer for mutes is yes for pitch raises but usually just the bass and middle, letting the upper 2 octaves or so ring free as I go upward. It is semantics when pitch correction ends and tuning starts but the quick answer for tuning is no mutes.
The long answer rattles on as my strategy yet evolves.
In other words depending on the amount needed, a pitch correction might start anywhere from line #2 to #5. I never strip mute everything. Tuning is #6. Over the course of time the way I check my tuning tends to become my next tuning strategy if that has meaning.
For more please see my post #39 on the thread Why does pitch shift when strings break? (7/2/17) for starters. Paul
Original Message:
Sent: 08-14-2017 05:38
From: David Weiss
Subject: Muting strings
Paul,
You have piqued my curiosity but your email is difficult to follow. Are you saying that you don't use any mutes at all when pitch raising or fine tuning? If so, would mind explaining your procedure?
Thanks,
David Weiss
Sent from my iPhone
Original Message------
I eliminated all mutes even single. It is not unusual for there to be 6 -9 wires sounding at the same time as I work. This is not an original idea. I read about it but cannot recall who/when/where (maybe a Ted). What I remember was at first being incredulous and put off by the prospect especially since the writer said not only for tuning but also speedier pitch raises!! I persisted. After a while it is easier/faster because extra time spent revisiting some individual wires over and over is saved by not handling/dropping mutes.
Mutes are part of pitch correction if needed at all in my opinion. Once out is when tuning starts not ends. For me heading to fewer/no mute whole note tuning is simply the natural process of acquiring aural skill not a 6 of 1, half dozen of another type of thing. I progressed thus.
1) Strip the whole piano to a single string.
2) Strip just the middle.
3) Tried to skip the strip altogether but that was too hard at first (weak unisons) so my next strategy for
years was to strip mute to 2 wires each in the middle only. Mutes outward.
4) Eliminate strip
5) Go from 2 to 1 mute
6) No mute. Simply play unison/interval, work/wriggle/jiggle pin of the target note and listen.
Very light tapping with wood drift replaces most loud test blows. Paul