Train Your Ear on the Inside/Outside M3/M6 Equality!

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Read more about the M3/M6 Equality Below.

Tuning a piano by ear involves playing intervals and setting them so they are not pure – setting them so they create beats; beats that we hear and compare to other beats.

We have created a simple ear training test and exercise that will tell you right now if you have the ear to tune pianos. But don’t worry. If you don’t, we can help.

Equal Beating Intervals in Equal Temperament

In equal temperament, there are intervals that beat very closely to the same speed. Sometimes we tune them equal, sometimes we check if they are not equal.

One pair of intervals that beat the same speed is G3-B3 and F3-D4. See figure 1.

Each of these intervals beats at a different frequency. G3-B3 beats at B5 and F3-D4 beats at A5. See figure 2.

In the ear training test, you will tune B3 so that G3-B3 beats the same as F3-D4.

How the Test Will Work

Each of these intervals is wide. That means the top note is sharp or the bottom note is flat compared to the pure interval size that produces no beating.

For G3-B3, it is beating because it is wide. If we raise B3, the interval will become wider and beat faster. If we lower B3, the interval will become less wide and will beat slower.

That is how you will change the speed of G3-B3.

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