Real instruments

[Roel Das]

I'd figure to throw in my thoughts on this wildly going discussion, just to
keep it going, really enjoying it as a classical pianoplayer (in spare time)
that has only got a digital piano to practice on.

I remember my previous teacher, a VERY good jazz pianoplayer, telling me
about the natural harmonics of the piano, and how he was once playing a
piece with wild arpeggios with the hold pedal, on the conservatories best
grand piano, and how dissonant it sounded. Because of the natural overtones
of the lower strings that sounded that much. I don't know the exact order of
the overtones, but if you calculate the frequencies, i believe you only
approximately get the notes that are supposed to be the natural overtones.
(i've never calculated it, he was too much of a good player to doubt about
this)

And another point, a whole tone is divided into 9 comma's (or whatever you
call it in English). A cross raises the tone with 5 commas, a flat lowers it
with 5. So C# and Db differ one comma. This is never 'implemented' on any
instrument for practical reasons. (Although I'd love to hear an instrument
tuned this way.)

This brings out the cultural aspects of tone recognition. How perfect CAN
perfect pitch be?
Any considerations on this?

On the other side, i HATE instruments that are out of tune.
I really like this discussion.
All yours.
Roel