Project

This project examines the aspects of tuning a piano

Background: How a piano is built

88 total strings; 60 notes with three strings, 18 with two, and ten with one string each (Freeman 25)

Average piano string tensions will be between 300,000 and 400,000 pounds per square inch (Freeman 29)

Lower tension in a string equates to a lower pitch, due to the longer vibrations created from the looser strings. (Freeman 29)

Description of Inharmonicity

The real strings in a piano have a stretched harmonic spectrum. According to this, all the strings must be tuned together, (Millard 1)

Equal temperamnet is the tuning process used for a piano. This process divides octaves into equal parts. Multiple notes from an octave create the harmonic tones you hear on the piano

As octaves increase,they move farther away from the harmonic scale

In a piano, as the frequency level of notes go up, the further they move from the harmonic scale. (Freeman 24)

This creates varying partial levels, which cause the inharmonicity of pianos. Most partials for instruments go 1,2,3,4,5,etc. Pianos go more like 1,2.01,3.03,5.06,etc.

All notes on the piano have higher frequencies than the harmonic scale, but the way they are combined gives that unique and pleasing sound to the instrument.