Optimization of piano tuning by means of spectral entropy minimization

Even though modern measurement systems are much more precise than human hearing abilities, aural tuning is still considered as the best and the most reliable piano tuning method. One of the reasons of such state is lack of a precise definition of what a perfect piano tuning should be like. Such problem is caused mainly by inharmonicity of non-perfectly flexible strings. The paper covers implementation of reliable and repeatable method of tuning based on spectral entropy minimization in octaves as well as subjective evaluation of such tuned piano’s sound. Results were compared with these obtained by applying alternative methods (base frequency tuning, autocorrelation-based tuning, aural tuning) and discussed in context of practical applications.