It IS a full time job

[Michael Jorgensen]

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Hi Willem,
      Man! we hear ya!   I don't think you can ever bring all things to
absolute perfection, but always try.  But,  choosing what to do and what
not to do is what will make the difference.  With 75 pianos, I would
tune three each workday, including the recital tunings.  Tuned about
every six weeks, all would always be decent with tunings averaging only
three weeks old. Try to mix piano types each day to avoid boredom and
fatigue.   Spend two hours on each one always to 440, 1 1/4 to 1 1/2 on
tuning with the rest of the time for doing repairs, regulating,
repining, eliminating noises, and tone regulating, whatever improvement
is most needed.  Get a ETD for help, and use hearing protection.   If
you improve each piano in some way each service, eventually the
inventory will get better.  You cannot conquer this behemoth in one
year, don't even look at the mess, for  it will depress you, just start
chipping away at it.   In time though, mountains can be moved.   You
should have two other hours a day for all of the other responsibilities
and projects.  During summer or slower times the ratio of projects to
other service can increase.   IMHO, don't get bogged down in too much
rebuilding, though projects are good, it is an easy way to fail in such
a job.  Set up a regular pace or routine which is comfortable for you
and will meet the everyday needs of the school.   You will survive for
many decades.  You're probably noticing that pianos don't live too long
in university environments, some aren't treated very well.

Hang in there, don't be impossible on yourself, you can't solve fifty
years of neglect over one year.

Best wishes,
-Mike Jorgensen
Central Michigan University




Wimblees@aol.com wrote:

> When I first heard about university technicians, I thought to myself,
> how can taking care of 75 pianos be considered a full time job. Now,
> after three months on the job, I'm asking myself, how in the world can
> one technician take care of 75 pianos?
>
> When I accepted the job here at the University of Alabama, I was
> looking forward to spending time some quality with Jan, working in the
> yard, playing racquet ball, golfing, taking a weekend to go to the
> beach, and doing a few extra tunings. I've been here 3 months, and
> with only 72 pianos, I'm already three years behind. I find myself
> working more than 8 hours a day, and sometimes more than 5 days a
> week. What hasn't helped is that for the past 25 years, the pianos
> were "tuned" and most of them have been "repaired," and some have even
> been "rebuilt," but certainly not up to university standards. There is
> lots of catching up to do.
>
> I am starting to keep track of my hours, so that I don't work more
> than 40 hours a week. I am very lucky to have a very appreciative
> faculty, and an even more appreciate department chair. I'm left alone,
> and I can work any time I want. No time card to punch. My office is
> next to the piano faculty studios. It's big enough to rebuild a piano
> in, with a large window, overlooking a grass yard, with large trees
> with squirrels climbing up and down. And one of the most enjoyable
> benefits of working at the university is attending the numerous
> recitals and concerts by the faculty and students. (I've not been to a
> football game, but maybe that will happen next year.)
>
> I'm not complaining, and I'm not asking for advice, I'm just
> expressing my thoughts. Sometimes I have to pinch myself to make sure
> this is really happening. I know someday the honeymoon will be over,
> but for now, I'm enjoying every moment.  I love my job
>
> Happy Thanksgiving.
>
> Wim
>

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