Are You In Tune?

But how do I know how much to turn the tuning pin? Do I just arbitrarily pick a tone that I think sounds good and tune the string to that? No! There has to be a standard.

The generally accepted standard now is that the strings of the note A above middle C should vibrate at a frequency of 440 cycles per second. (440 Hz.) Then the twelve notes between one note and its octave should be divided into equal intervals. This is known as equal temperament.

Now, I could pick another frequency for A, such as 420 Hz., but the tension on the strings would be much less than the manufacturer designed the piano to have. The sound would be dull. Any properly trained pianist would immediately know something was wrong.

Or I could pick 460 Hz., but then the extra tension would make the piano sound too bright. Some of the strings would probably break because of the excessive tension.

What if a manufacturer's representative came around checking to see if technicians were following the correct standards for tuning and for other adjustments to their brand of piano? Usually, though, they will at least send out a technical manual if one is requested, so technicians can follow the standards.

Did you know that the maker of man has also established some standards? Unfortunately many people arbitrarily set their own standards, as if the maker didn't know what he was doing. As a result, many people let their lives get terribly out of tune and out of adjustment. Perhaps it's time for them to refer to the technical manual.

I have found that frequently reading a few pages of God's "technical manual", the Bible, helps me to keep my life in tune. While some of God's standards were for particular people at a certain time, some are applicable to all people in all places at all times. In fact, we must all one day give an account of our lives before God, and according to the standards he has set.

When a person places his life in God's hands, and according to God's standards, it becomes like a well tuned and well regulated piano at the hands of a virtuoso pianist - making beautiful music for all to enjoy.

Is your life in tune? Let me know if I can be of some assistance to you in this area.

Sincerely,

Wally Scherer