Joystrings Music
Joystrings Music
Joystrings Music
Joystrings Music
Page 8
The second way is more accurate: you use a
tuning aid
, a little computer with a
microphone that listens to the harp and indicates by how much the pitch of each
string is too high (
sharp
) or too low (
flat
). You adjust the tuning until the tuning
aid indicates that the note is exactly right. This method has two advantages over
tuning by ear: you are not relying on your own ears or judgment, and by using a
clip-on microphone attached to your harp, you can tune it accurately even when
other musicians are tuning their own instruments nearby. This makes it ideal
when you play in groups or at concerts.
The tuning aid we supply comes with full instructions. It also includes a clip-on
“contact microphone”, which greatly improves the sensitivity of the device (as
compared to using its built-in microphone). The clip-on microphone can also be
used with an amplifier when you perform for a large audience.
The tuning aid we supply also includes a
metronome
function that generates a
steady beat for you to practice with, and, in case you sometimes prefer to tune by
ear, a
tone generator
function that generates steady tones for any note.
Whether you tune your harp by ear or with a tuning aid, it’s important to turn
the peg by tiny amounts at a time. After each little adjustment, pluck the string
again and check whether it’s sharp or flat. If it’s sharp, your next adjustment of
the peg should be clockwise; if it’s flat, anticlockwise.
Tips for tuning
If you’re turning a tuning peg and you don’t hear any difference in the sound when
you pluck the string, make sure you’re turning the right peg!
Most broken strings we’ve seen were caused by
overtightening
the string while
tuning it. You can prevent that by comparing the pitch of the string you’re
tuning with the pitch of the strings on either side. It should be higher than one
and lower than the other. If it’s higher than both, you have overtightened it and
should slack it off as soon as possible.
Make sure the
battery
in your tuning aid is fresh. If the battery is weak, the
tuning aid can become unresponsive and occasionally may even lock up,
requiring that you remove the battery to shut it down. In general, if the tuning
aid appears to have any kind of problem, always check its battery first. If you
don’t have a battery tester, try using a brand new alkaline battery; in our
experience, that always makes the problems go away!
