Piano tuning on a dense pop arrangement – equal or stretch?

[blueman]

Hi everybody.

I’ve got a Yamaha C6 and I’m starting a project with medium to full density pop arrangements: Acoustic and electric guitars, orchestral strings, pads, bass, drums, etc …The kind of arrangement where no instrument (but the voice) is the protagonist, playing in a “minimum detail fashion” but building with the others an organic and rich arrangement.

While stretch tuning is where the piano sounds best itself (I mean harmonizing with itself) in a solo context, I wonder if, for this type of arrangement, top pro studios and producers use the equal temperament tuning, since the instrument is going to interact harmonically more with other instruments than with itself.

So please, don’t tell me which tuning you like more, tell me, if you know it, which one is used in commercial releases of this kind of arrangements – equal of stretch?

Thank you very much

[piano]

I believe you are worrying too much over this. Just tune it to standard tuning.

Stretch tuning is where the very low bass notes are lowered in pitch and the very high notes are increased in pitch. There are varying degrees of this and methods. You can over do it. Pianos can sound BIGGER using this type of tuning.

A lot of tuners have their own set of tuning parameters and are a bit bewildered when you mention 'stretch tuning'.

There are many many variations on equal temperament - types of stretch tunings are some of them.

Again, just ask your tuner to tune the piano the standard way and you will be fine. No need to fuss over 'stretch tuning'.

Have fun!

[blueman]

Hi, piano. Thanks

So then, isn't stretch tuning a different temperament than "equal"? Is it just a light variation?

[studiostuff]

Yeah, I agree with the other guy. No stretch tuning for a studio piano that may have to play nice with synths and sample orchestras.

[Robert McCormick]

Just use your ears and trust your instincts bro. It's not that complicated.

[johnnyjellybean]

Yah just use your ears and........chances are if you DO use your ears, you'll land up doing the stretch tuning. If it sounds out of tune with itself, then how's it going to sound in a track!!??
Stretch tuning IS the standard way.

[piano]

Originally Posted by blueman

Hi, piano. Thanks

So then, isn't stretch tuning a different temperament than "equal"? Is it just a light variation?

Correct.

There are also many different types of equal temperament tunings.

Roland popularized the notion of stretch tuning with their sampled keyboards. Most tuners will turn their nose up at the mention of it and give you a detailed explanation of what they will do.

Most tuners will make the piano sound good - but I never let them leave until I have played every note. A recording really can pick up on the slightest untuned note.

[piano]

Well, I disagree with the guys who say 'just use your ears'.

Actually it IS complicated - tuning by ear is a complicated skill. And NO the the OP is not going to pay a tuner another $120 to retune the piano. You are paying big bucks in a studio and you need to get it right the first time.

Because tuning a piano well is an art it really pays to get a good tuner --- ask around and have your pianist check his work.

[phillysoulman]

Playing like David Foster would really help

[Robert McCormick]

Originally Posted by piano

Well, I disagree with the guys who say 'just use your ears'.

Actually it IS complicated - tuning by ear is a complicated skill. And NO the the OP is not going to pay a tuner another $120 to retune the piano. You are paying big bucks in a studio and you need to get it right the first time.

Because tuning a piano well is an art it really pays to get a good tuner --- ask around and have your pianist check his work.

A very large apology here. I had no idea we are talking about a real piano.
Should have read the original post.