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I still haven’t figured out what perfect fifth tuning is, nor its purpose.
From what I have read in Googling is it has something to do with tuning to play with other instruments and in an orchestra. None of that is going to be the case for me. I am very confused by all this tuning in perfect fifths. It has never been mentioned in any lessons.
All I want to do is tune my cello to the CGDA, have a quick response to these low notes (the Korg CM-200), use a metronome without cluttering my space with another item, it is built into the Korg TM-60. I have never done anything with perfect fifths when tuning before, as far as I know.
I am more and more confused now. I can get the Korg TM-60C through the Fiddleman Shop.
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I just hacked perfect fifth tuning for the cello. Get the Korg TM 60 tuner and the Korg CM 200 mike. For cello, tune c string (a=438), g string (a=439), d string (a=439), and a string (a=440). That will be a very close approximation to perfect fifth tuning based on a=440. You will find that the instrument will be more vibrant and your fingering intonation will almost instantly improve. Don’t worry about Google. Don’t worry about playing with other instruments. This is easy.
if you want to play with less tension on the strings so they will have less sound and will be easier on you left hand fingers, let me know how how much you want based on the a string and I will run another hack.
Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.
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Irv, I may be only half getting what you're suggesting and why so the following question may be totally off the mark but here I go:
If I tune as you recommend, above, then my D and G strings are 1 hz (or about 4 cents) lower than my A=440 & my C string is 2 hz (or almost 8 cents) lower than my A=440.
If that is correct, then I could just leave my tuner set to A=440 and tune the others 4 or 8 cents lower than what my tuner is indicating... and voilà! Yes, no, maybe?
And double voilà, that will instantaneously improve my intonation? As they say in Germany, "Dein Wort in Gottes Ohr!"
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I do not have access to a frequency counter so I cannot confirm or deny on frequency cycles. I set tuning using my korg OC-12 set for perfect fifth a=440, then I set the OC-12 for even temperament and varied the “a=“ calibration until the needle centered.
To answer your immediate question, I tuned again perfect fifths a=440 herz, then read the meter keeping the setting even temperament a=440. What I got then is c is about 12 cents flat, g is about 8 cents flat, d is about 4 cents flat, and a is spot on. This is using an analog dial so your results may vary.
@Mouse was onto something with that Korg CM 200 mike. It makes the use of the tuner so much easier with a cello.
Success is the progressive realisation of a worthy ideal. —Earl Nightingale.
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I thought that I posted a reply to this but perhaps I never pressed post.
Perfect fifths are relative. Using the tuner will get you so close that most people would never know the difference.
Pianos are tuned - Equal Tempered. Do you feel that a piano playing fifths bothers you?
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