How do I measure tuning of my accordion?

[Inflammo]

I have recently acquired a Pigini p-36 preludio. It was sold to me as 'dry' tuned. I'd be interested to know how I can measure the tuning- especially how many cents difference this is (if any) between the two middle reeds?

 

[maugein96]

Hi,

Download the free trial version of this app and follow the instructions.

You need to set it all up but the instructions tell you how. Select Hz or Cents for the readings.

https://www.dirksprojects.com/index.php?Lan=english&Page=base/home.php&Flag=us

 

[debra]

You can download a tuner for your phone. I use da tuner lite for instance, but there are many others.
You can then measure each of the two M reeds separately (using the registers that do this, or manipulate the register sliders under the grille). They should show the same deviation.
Most tuners are set to A=440Hz by default. If the tuner shows the standard A as about +3cents your accordion is tuned to 441Hz and if it shows about +6cents it is tuned to 442Hz.
Pigini uses 442Hz as their default (which causes problems for the uninformed customer who thinks accordions are all the same and don't bother asking for a specific tuning).
If you use the MM register you should not hear any tremolo on any single note if the instrument is dry tuned.

 

[wirralaccordion]

Paul said

If you use the MM register you should not hear any tremolo on any single note if the instrument is dry tuned.

I do wonder what would be the point of this for two reeds ( usually clarinet ) of the same pitch? Double the volume?

 

[debra]

Paul said

If you use the MM register you should not hear any tremolo on any single note if the instrument is dry tuned.

I do wonder what would be the point of this for two reeds ( usually clarinet ) of the same pitch? Double the volume?

On a non-cassotto instrument dry tuning of MM is indeed of little use other than to differ the M-volume in registers like LM versus LMM and MH versus MMH. It is very useful for cassotto instruments as you get two different types of sound with the M in cassotto versus the M outside (for which you can often also use the H register) versus MM (which sounds different from M and from MH).