Re: [Harp-L] Free tuners for a mac?

[Winslow Yerxa <winslowyerxa@xxxxxxxxx>]

The GarageBand tuner lacks an essential haramonica feature: the ability to change the A440 reference pitch.
 
Harmonicas are not tuned to A440, despite what is stamped on many of them. Most are tuned to a higher pitch, to compensate for the ptich depression caused by breath pressure, amoong othe reasons. Lee Soakrs are tuned 8 to 10 cents above A440, while most Hohners appear to be tuned to A44, A446, or even A448. Most customizers and self-customizers tuned anywhere between A441 and A443, depending on customer preference.
 
Consequently, an A440-based tuner will give you misleading feedback unless you can calculate the offset in cents for any given alternative reference.
 
 
Winslow
 
Winslow Yerxa
Author, Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-0-470-33729-5
            Harmonica Basics For Dummies, ASIN B005KIYPFS
            Blues Harmonica For Dummies, ISBN 978-1-1182-5269-7
Resident Harmonica Expert, bluesharmonica.com
Instructor, Jazzschool for Music Study and Performance

From: Sean Murphy <taser8@xxxxxxxxx>
To: Michael Rubin <michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx> 
Cc: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx> 
Sent: Monday, November 26, 2012 12:57 PM
Subject: Re: [Harp-L] Free tuners for a mac?

If it's a recent mac he should have a recent version of GarageBand, which I
believe has a built-in tuner...

On Mon, Nov 26, 2012 at 11:06 AM, Michael Rubin <
michaelrubinharmonica@xxxxxxxxx> wrote:

> One of my students cannot afford a tuner and does not have a smartphone.
> He does have a mac.  Is there a free tuner?
> Thanks,
> Michael Rubin
> Michaelrubinharmonica.com
>