[Alan Brinton]

While I’m in the process of refinishing my the Black Yamaha P-32D Pianica that I play more than any other melodica, I decided to check its tuning. I last tuned it to A=440hz +/- 3 cents in March, 2014. Here is a comparison of its readings then with its readings this morning, July 30, 2016.

2014 on the left, now on the right.

F3 …..0 …..-8
F# …..0 …..-11
G3 …..0 …..-12
G# …..+2 …..-9
A3 …..-2 …..-6
A# …..0 …..-6
B3 …..0 …..-3
C4 …..+2.5 …..-5
C# …..0 …..-5
D4 …..+2 …..0
D# …..0 …..-3
E4 …..0 …..-2
F4 …..+3 …..-3
F# …..0 …..-3
G4 …..0 …..-8
G# …..+2.5 …..0
A4 …..-1.5 …..-3
A# …..+2.5 …..-1
B4 …..0 …..0
C5 …..0 …..+1
C# …..+2.5 …..+4
D5 …..0 …..0
D# …..+3 …..-2
E5 …..-1.5 …..-3
F5 …..+1.5 …..0
F# …..0 …..-2
G5 …..0 …..-4
G# …..+3 …..+3
A5 …..0 …..0
A# …..+1.5 …..+5
B5 …..+2.5 …..0
C6 …..0 …..-4

Not so bad after 28 months of regular use. I’m not a very aggressive player, though probably a bit more so at the bottom end, where that seems to be reflected in the changes. I will now re-tune.

[Anonymous]

My new Yamaha P37D tuning is quite sharp on most keys. It can be some 10 to 20 cents sharp on most keys until you get to the high range where the tuning is about 5 cents sharp. Is it normal for a new Yamaha to be this far (sharp) out of tune? Thanks Alan

Russ

[Alan Brinton]

It’s common for melodicas to be factory tuned sharp. Are you checking with an electronic tuner that can be set for A=440, A=441, and so on. If so, check the tuning at A=442. That’s roughly where Yamahas come tuned to. See what it’s closest to, it could be as high as A-443. Then it should be reasonably well tuned (with itself) at that standard. We’ve had a lot of discussion about what tuning standard is most appropriate. Also, try checking the tuning to see where it’s jumping around to when you’re actually playing. It’s desirable to learn how to do your own tuning, which is not hard.

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