Don Teach is right: no electronic tuning device can touch the human
ear.  But most clients will not be able to hear what a skilled human
tuner does hear.  An electronic tuning aid, on the other hand, can
improve the tuning qualities of an average human tuner.  It can also
speed up the tuning.

And does have more advantages.  Not the least: it will not get fatigued
and, when getting older, hear less.

It's my guess that, for the average tuner, the use of a good electronic
device will improve his tunings, and such a device can be very useful
for a high-end tuner as well.

I must confess (look in the MMD Archives) that this is a change; I've
always said the same as Don.  But the improvement of the electronic
devices has gone very fast.  So I did change my mind.

A tuner always will need good ears, but the electronic tuning aids (!)
have become very good, and affordable.  So why not make use of them?
It will do no harm, and will overall improve the tuning results.

Let's keep in mind that tuning is important, but only a part of the
job.  Regulation and intonation also asks for trained ears and hands.

The second part: why does a A-tempered piano sound brighter than
a C-tempered piano?  I agree with Don Teach -- it will come from the
differences between major and minor and will have to do with enharmonics,
and as well, I guess, with the way our ears are trained.  But an
explanation I do not have at hand.  I'm sure some other MMDers can tell
us much more.  I would like that.

Jan Kijlstra
The Netherlands