Pianotech

  • 1.  Equal and Unequal Beating Temperament System: The Greatest Achievement of My Life and My Itchen Bridge Survivor Story

    Posted 05-02-2026 09:00

    Equal and Unequal Beating Temperament System: The Greatest Achievement of My Life and My Itchen Bridge Survivor Story

    My name is Roshan Kakiya. I am a 27-year-old British Citizen. Let me start off by saying that the culmination of my exploration of the mathematics and physics of music in the form of the Equal and Unequal Beating Temperament System for piano tuning, which is available at https://my.ptg.org/discussion/equal-and-unequal-beating-temperament-system-final-version, is the greatest achievement of my life.
     
    I attempted suicide by sitting and pushing myself off the railing right next to the "Help Point" on Itchen Bridge in Southampton on Saturday 21st March 2026. I was rescued and rushed off to Southampton General Hospital to receive treatment for my physical health, where I spent two weeks fighting to survive. I made a swift recovery, then I admitted myself informally / voluntarily to an inpatient psychiatric facility called Priory Hospital Southampton, where I am currently staying and receiving treatment for my mental health.
     
    I took this course of action due to ongoing overwhelming problems that are / were related to my family, relationships, jobs, physical health, and mental health. My circumstances are unique to me, but they cover a wide range of common problems that can affect anyone by pushing them to the edge of insanity.
     
    It should not be possible for such a tragedy to take place at such a young age. Before I jumped, I sought help from multiple mental health services in Southampton, Eastleigh, and Winchester, but to no avail. The outcome was the same every time. I was in the same position again and again. More should be done to help people regardless of their background to seek practical help and support with tangible outcomes.
     
    With regard to the safety measures on Itchen Bridge, my honest assessment is that they are abysmal. From what I can recall, only one side of the bridge is being reinforced with a fence, while the other side still has a railing and a 1-metre barrier, both of which facilitate, rather than prevent, suicide attempts. The height, accessibility, and design of Itchen Bridge on one side makes it one of the most attractive hotspots of all time for suicide attempts. Falling onto water is not the same as falling onto a hard surface, which can make the odds of surviving with minimal damage higher. The fact that a rescue service is in operation could encourage people to attempt suicide even more because they know that they are likely to be rescued / saved in the event of a botched attempt.
     
    In my view, Itchen Bridge should be secured on both sides with 2-metre concrete blocks and barbed wire to prevent suicide attempts once and for all. Money should not matter in this case due to how dangerous Itchen Bridge really is for suicide attempts from first-hand experience.
     
    Itchen Bridge should be used for transportation purposes, not for taking your own life.
     
    Update on Tuesday 12th May 2026: I discharged myself from Priory Hospital Southampton on Monday 11th May 2026. I am back at home with my family.


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    Roshan Kakiya
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  • 2.  RE: Equal and Unequal Beating Temperament System: The Greatest Achievement of My Life and My Itchen Bridge Survivor Story

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-02-2026 09:15

    Hi Roshan:

    Thank you for sharing your story.  You are indeed lucky that you survived.  Where I live, we have suicide hotlines that you can call if you ever get to a point where you want to end it all.  Please remember that a lot of people put their heart and soul into you.  Your parents, teachers, friends, and we here in PTG highly regard you and what you have been posting here.  No one is an island.  I, for one, am very glad you're still here.  Dare I say, we all are.  We love you, man!



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    Paul McCloud, RPT
    Accutone Piano Service
    www.AccutonePianoService.com
    pavadasa@gmail.com
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  • 3.  RE: Equal and Unequal Beating Temperament System: The Greatest Achievement of My Life and My Itchen Bridge Survivor Story

    Posted 05-12-2026 05:35

    Hi Paul,

    Thank for your your heartwarming message!

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    Roshan Kakiya
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Equal and Unequal Beating Temperament System: The Greatest Achievement of My Life and My Itchen Bridge Survivor Story

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 05-02-2026 09:45

    Dear Roshan,

    Thank you for sharing your story, I'm sorry that it's been rough and I truly hope you get the help needed to keep things moving in a healthy direction.



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    Tim Foster RPT
    New Oxford PA
    (470) 231-6074
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  • 5.  RE: Equal and Unequal Beating Temperament System: The Greatest Achievement of My Life and My Itchen Bridge Survivor Story

    Posted 05-02-2026 17:18
    Dear Roshan

    I thought you'd been silent. Please don't go silent again.

    There are lots of things to explore in the direction that you've been going in.

    Recently I've been talking about the incompatibility of irrational numbers with music based on harmonics and I recalled that you'd come to the conclusion that tuning wasn't appropriately considered in cents and was properly represented by beats.

    And please come to a concert or two at Hammerwood.

    Best wishes

    David P


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    David Pinnegar, B.Sc., A.R.C.S.
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    +44 7868385643



    Original Message


  • 6.  RE: Equal and Unequal Beating Temperament System: The Greatest Achievement of My Life and My Itchen Bridge Survivor Story

    Posted 05-12-2026 06:00

    Hi David,

    Thank you for engaging with me so actively all the time. Anybody can be at the mercy of poor mental health at any time. I was totally exhausted and feeling emptier than ever after I had completed my research into the Equal and Unequal Beating Temperament System.

    My research on piano tuning certaintly goes into a lot of depth. It is not just about piano tuning anymore. It is about mathematics, physics, music, history, technology, humanity, etc. There is so much to be learned from what I have posted. It is a constant stream of information from the first post to the last.

    Cents were useful at some point in time when they were the cutting-edge technology, but they are not as useful as they used to be anymore because beat rates are representative of what piano tuners are actually hearing when they tune pianos. That was my honest assessmemt in the end.

    Thank you for inviting me to Hammerwood.

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    Roshan Kakiya
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    Original Message


  • 7.  RE: Equal and Unequal Beating Temperament System: The Greatest Achievement of My Life and My Itchen Bridge Survivor Story

    Posted 05-12-2026 05:38

    Hi Tim,

    Thank you for getting back to me. I discharged myself from Priory Hospital Southampton yesterday. I am finally back at home with my family!

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    Roshan Kakiya
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    Original Message


  • 8.  RE: Equal and Unequal Beating Temperament System: The Greatest Achievement of My Life and My Itchen Bridge Survivor Story

    Posted 29 days ago

    I was touched by your original post but didn't really know what to say. You should know that you are not alone. I've dealt with anxiety & depression for many years. At one time I was diagnosed with "passive suicide". I had thought of ways to kill myself but that was as far as it went. I'm on two medications to help me and I see a therapist regularly. You are so brave to share your story and as Paul said, we love you man!



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    "That Tuning Guy"
    Scott Kerns
    Lincoln, Nebraska
    www.thattuningguy.com
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    Original Message


  • 9.  RE: Equal and Unequal Beating Temperament System: The Greatest Achievement of My Life and My Itchen Bridge Survivor Story

    Posted 29 days ago

    Hi Scott,

    Thank you for sharing your story. Mental health problems can affect anyone. It is good to be open about them because nobody is alone.

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    Roshan Kakiya
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    Original Message