Octave quality
Inharmonicity changes how octaves feel and whether they sound musically convincing.
Concept guide
Piano inharmonicity explained for tuners.
Inharmonicity is one of the key reasons piano tuning is not just about matching ideal frequencies. It changes how partials line up and therefore changes what sounds right.
What inharmonicity means
- Piano strings are stiff, so overtones do not align as perfectly as ideal harmonic math predicts.
- That shifts interval behavior, especially across octaves.
- The result is a piano that needs tuning decisions based on the instrument, not just raw pitch targets.
Why tuners care about it
Stretch behavior
It directly affects how much stretch the piano needs across the range.
Instrument differences
Two pianos can require meaningfully different treatment because their string behavior differs.
How Tempera uses it in workflow
- The Lab helps inspect inharmonicity rather than hiding it behind a simple tuner view.
- Sampling informs a more realistic stretch curve for that specific piano.
- Saved profiles make repeat visits more consistent.
Frequently asked questions
Is inharmonicity a defect?
No. It is a real physical property of piano strings that tuning workflow has to account for.
Why do tuners measure it?
Because it helps explain how the piano should be stretched and voiced musically across the keyboard.
Can an app help with this?
Yes, if the app exposes analysis and sampling instead of only showing a generic pitch indicator.
Use Tempera to inspect inharmonicity in context.
Install Tempera if you want analysis tools that fit actual acoustic piano work instead of generic tuning only.