Hi Bob, I am in the same boat. I charge for pitch corrections with my private clients, but don't at the college. A 16 cent change of pitch is a pretty big change, but I see that all the time at the college here. Here are some simplistic answers for you, but they won't do any good unless the college agrees with you and makes these things happen (or authorizes you and pays you to do these things). 1. Complete Dampp-Chaser systems on all pianos. They must be the systems with the Smart Heater Bar. Back covers work great also. The humidifier pads should be changed 3 times during the winter. The systems must be plugged in all the time, and the humdifiers kept full of water all the time. Use of humidifier treatment helps keep the moisture pads free of chemical and mineral build-up. If the system does not have a Smart Heater Bar and the humdiifier is allowed to go dry, the humidifier bar acts as a dehumidifier and actually lowers humidity further. If the humdifiers aren't going to be kept full of water and the system does not have a Smart Heater Bar, you will be better off unplugging the humidifier from the humidistat and only using the dehumidifier portion. 2. The pianos need more frequent tuning. 4 to 6 tunings per year would be better for practice rooms. For class rooms, 4 to 6 tunings per year would be better. For teacher's studios, tuning 8 to 12 times per year would be excellent. For the concert pianos, tuning at least every month is minimal, it would be better if they were tuned each time they were used. However, unless the administration is convinced of the need for more tunings, and is willing to fund the budget to make it happen, it won't happen and the frustration will continue. I would like to hear what other technicians have to say on this matter, because it interests me greatly. Sincerely, David A. Vanderhoofven Joplin, MO USA At 12:44 AM 2/5/03, you wrote: >At the university where I provide service for fee work, I have just >started my round of tunings for the upcoming second semester. I am >finding the pitch has dropped an unusual amount since the last tuning. > >Bob Hull, RPT >Technician for Union University >Jackson, TN
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