In TonalEnergy Tuner (iOS), again only $5, you can select Sine Wave, so you get the pure fundamental.
In Pianoscope, you can hold down any partial of any note and play that partial. So select A4, go to the spectrum analyzer display (can be made default always ON), and hold down the '1' and it plays the pure first partial fundamental.
Steve N.
Original Message:
Sent: 06-09-2024 11:02
From: Larry Messerly
Subject: Electronic pitch source for Exam?
Five minutes to set A using tuning fork or audio source only. If device has visual display examiner will remain in the room to verify visual display not used.
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Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
Original Message:
Sent: 06-09-2024 10:21
From: Anthony Willey
Subject: Electronic pitch source for Exam?
As far as tone generator apps go, my favorite is an Android app called Tone Generator.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.jm.android.frequencygenerator
I found this one during a deep dive search several years ago after I discovered that the tone generator on whatever free metronome app I was using was not always accurate. There are of course hundreds of other tone generator apps but I stick with this one because even if it's not the easiest user interface, it gives me way more control over the waveform I'm generating than any other app I've found, and more importantly I've tested this app and trust it to be accurate. If I remember correctly it is free with ads and you can get rid of ads by buying the pro version in-app-purchase. I don't remember how much it was, but it was worth it to me.
I would caution against using anything for the tuning exam that generates more than a pure 440 Hz sine wave. Using a triangle or sawtooth or square wave, or a tone with inharmonicity, is asking for unexpected results that you don't want to risk in the context of a tuning exam. For instance, if you wanted to use a tone with inharmonicity, you would first need to make sure the inharmonicity of the tone you're generating matches the inharmonicity of the piano you're tuning, and isn't just a default tone for no piano in particular. That means either knowing the model of the exam piano beforehand and coming prepared with an appropriate file/setting on your device, or taking time upfront to measure inharmonicity samples of the piano. I'm not am examiner, but I would imagine that the examiner would not be comfortable giving you extra time to do those measurements before the exam starts, so you'd be using tuning time to do that.
That's my 2 cents on specific apps. The most important thing though is to aurally test whatever app you choose against something like https://www.szynalski.com/tone-generator/ and then practice tuning A4 with your app until you can't get it wrong.
I also seem to remember something about the examiner wanting to be in the room with you if you're using a device capable of running a visual tuner app, rather than using a tuning fork or dedicated tone generator. I don't know if that's true now, but I'd suggest finding out for sure if you aren't comfortable being observed while you tune A4.
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Anthony Willey, RPT
http://willeypianotuning.com
http://pianometer.com
Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2024 17:29
From: Robert Cope
Subject: Electronic pitch source for Exam?
I was not aware that Pianoscope can generate A440. Thank you to all who chimed in on this.
Original Message:
Sent: 6/8/2024 5:04:00 PM
From: Steven Norsworthy
Subject: RE: Electronic pitch source for Exam?
We get what we pay for. If you want realistic partial sound accuracy that is from a real piano, try Pianoscope's sound generator, as it has a full model of the IH of all the partial frequencies and amplitudes of each partial from a library of pianos, or your own piano library. That way you can align the partials and train your ear accordingly. It works. --- Steve N.
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Steven Norsworthy
PianoSens
Cardiff By The Sea CA
(619) 964-0101
Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2024 09:20
From: David Stocker
Subject: Electronic pitch source for Exam?
You're right. I got that one a while ago.
A quick search revealed this free app https://apps.apple.com/app/id465934066
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David Stocker, RPT
Olympia WA
Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2024 08:52
From: Larry Messerly
Subject: Electronic pitch source for Exam?
David, not available in my country or region!
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Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
Original Message:
Sent: 06-08-2024 00:53
From: David Stocker
Subject: Electronic pitch source for Exam?
Or download from dozens of free apps available, like https://apps.apple.com/app/id1347144698 a simple tuning fork on your phone.
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David Stocker, RPT
Olympia WA
Original Message:
Sent: 06-07-2024 13:26
From: Steven Norsworthy
Subject: Electronic pitch source for Exam?
On the Apple APP Store, you can purchase TonalEnergy Tuner for $5. It lets you set the reference freq and generates sound for all notes. You can even select different temperaments. This app is the most popular one for orchestral instrumentalists and can of course be used as I describe on piano, although I would not recommend it for overall piano tuning since it does not incorporate inharmonicity and other things needed.
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Steven Norsworthy
PianoSens
Cardiff By The Sea CA
(619) 964-0101
Original Message:
Sent: 06-07-2024 10:24
From: Scott Cole
Subject: Electronic pitch source for Exam?
I used a Korg harmonic tuner with the graphic display covered in black tape. The piano's third partial should beat a little faster than the tuner's, about 3-4 bps.
Original Message:
Sent: 6/6/2024 1:28:00 AM
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: RE: Electronic pitch source for Exam?
If I remember correctly, they do not care what you use as a pitch source. They do care about its accuracy, though. Whatever you bring in they will compare to the 440 Hz reference they use and will tell you, in cents, how sharp or flat it is relative to the reference source they will be using to grade you. If your source is sharp or flat they will let you know. So, if your source is off by a couple of cents you will need to compensate for that difference in order to meet the 440 Hz target for of the test.
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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
Original Message:
Sent: 06-05-2024 14:39
From: Robert Cope
Subject: Electronic pitch source for Exam?
Can anyone recommend an accurate electronic A440 to use in taking the tuning exam? Also, any thoughts on an electronic source vs. tuning fork? Thank you for any thoughts.
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Robert Cope
Los Angeles CA
(323) 868-2073
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