Question

If piano tuner wants to correct the sound of a string which plays at a lower pitch, What should he do?

• A. Tighten the string to make the fundamental frequency higher
• B. Tighten the string to make the fundamental frequency lower
• C. Loosen the string to make the fundamental frequency higher
• D. Loosen the string to make the fundamental frequency lower
• E. Find a harmonic closer to the desired pitch

Answer 1

The correct option is A Tighten the string to make the fundamental frequency higher

To correct the sound at lower pitch (frequency) , he should increase the fundamental frequency , which is given by

$n_1=\frac{1}{2l}\sqrt{T/m}$

it gives $n_1\propto \sqrt{T}$

it is clear that frequency can be increased by increasing the tension in string i.e. by tightening the string.