Re: [Harp-L] Embouchure for tuning

[Lasse Høi <hoeilasse@xxxxxxxxx>]

Ok, I use 442 or 443 myself. My concern is not offset or temperament
though, it's simply how to get stable pitch and thus stable readings
from the tuner to know that you actually hit whatever you aimed for.

I think my problem is partly an unstable embouchure with a small
amount of involuntary bending going on (especially when playing
without cover plates) AND also not knowing when the reeds have
"settled" in their newly tuned state.

2013/5/19  <bujohn49@xxxxxxx>:
>
> Do not forget to "set" the tuner to a higher than 440 setting - in
> example...442, that is what I use.....johnny
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Lasse Høi <hoeilasse@xxxxxxxxx>
> To: harp-l <harp-l@xxxxxxxxxx>
> Sent: Sun, May 19, 2013 6:19 am
> Subject: [Harp-L] Embouchure for tuning
>
> In my quest for better tuning I've done some experiments to find out
> how to get more stable readings from my tuner software (Using both
> TuneLab and Hohner Harmonica tuner)
>
> Also, I'd like to separate the different contributing factors.
>
> The most stable reading I have achieved have been on a slightly warmed
> harp, looking only at draw notes (to eliminate condensation
> influence).
>
> I don't use a bench so I try to be very consistent in embouchure and
> playing volume (I aim for mezzo forte, which of course is a subjective
> term).
> The reed plates are on.
>
> However I still get variations of up to +/- 5 cents when playing the
> same reed several time separated by a few minuted pause. If I look at
> the tuner and focus on hitting the same pitch as before I can usually
> adjust to it.  But this doesn't reading tell me much about whether I
> actually tuned the reed as I intended.
>
> It seems that the better tone, resonance and volume I get the higher
> the pitch is, which make me think that the "tuned pitch" is the
> highest achievable pitch, because here you have the least amount of
> involuntary bending. I would imagine this would be the pitch you would
> get in a bench.
>
> (I am introducing the term "tuned pitch" to separate it from "playing
> pitch" which will always be a little lower due to condensation)
>
> So... should I always try to adjust my embouchure to get the highest
> possible pitch? Would a bench achieve the same?
>
> Any thoughts or similar experiment you would like to share?
>
> Best regards, Lasse