Taking partials into consideration when tuning (was re: planets...)

Hi, Jacky;

> One question I've always wanted to ask composers who design
> instruments - either digitally or acoustic - is do they have to
> take the partials into consideration when bring an instrument into
> tune?

For my part, I plan for beatless octaves, based on partials and fit
tunings accordingly, but for little string instruments which isn't
nearly so distinct as for metallophones and higher tension scales. It's
fairly common to tailor inharmonicity in piano design or redesign, I've
started also to integrate its effect to pitches ultimately that I'll
tune (more than anything, out of obstinacy), otherwise which would be
theoretical frequencies. Since string inharmonicity varies with wire
material, tension, length, section and I guess loading (maybe even
bridge admittance) the effect is a compass of micro-timbers: partials
sharping increasingly up the plain wire scale, if bridged fairly well to
the highest wound strings usually sharping again toward the lowest.
Well, nothing a little length couldn't fix...

Clark