[CAUT] Tuning with right hand vs. Left

[Michael Magness]

On Dec 19, 2007 8:46 PM, Ted Sambell <edward.sambell at sympatico.ca> wrote:

> In China and Taiwan, every tuner tunes left handed. This was also true in
> Scoland, and may or not be so still. I feel it is irrelevant. What matters
> is whay one does with the tuning pin and string, and however one gets
> there
> is correct if it works.If I go up to a piano and it is beautifully tuned,
> how can I tell? It may have been done by someone standing on their head
> for
> all I know. This sort of theorizing is nonsense. We should concentrate on
> what really matters.
>
> Ted Sambell
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "TJGRAVES" <tjgraves at bsu.edu>
> To: "College and University Technicians" <caut at ptg.org>
> Sent: Wednesday, December 19, 2007 1:05 PM
> Subject: [CAUT] Tuning with right hand vs. Left
>
>
>  > I'm a young tech. compared to many of you. I turn 31 tomorrow and have
> > been
> > a tech. for 10 years now.  I'm a right handed person but when I tune
> > Grands
> > I've always used my left hand all the way through the treble and switch
> to
> > my right in the bass. I've always have had good solid tunings doing it
> > that
> > way.    For uprights I always use my left.
> > I've always wondered since it works for me is there is a reason on why I
> > should use my right hand for grands.
> > --
> > Tony Graves RPT
> > Piano Technician
> > School of Music
> > Ball State University
> > Muncie, IN 47306
> > (765) 285-0053
>

If you were a true newbie, a rank beginner, I would probably suggest
sticking with one hand/arm, it wouldn't matter which, until you developed a
touch/feel for the tuning pin/tuning hammer relationship, learned to set a
pin, developed hammer technique, in other words knew HOW to tune. Only then
would I suggest branching out to the other hand/arm which I would then
strongly encourage. I believe in learning to do the basics well before
trying variations. Just a personal belief.

Since you are already an accomplished RPT and how you tune works for you, I
see no reason to change it to fit someone else's mold. Read the posts on the
shoulder problems some of us have and have had and you'll be very glad you
are doing what you're doing!
Mike
-- 
People who say it can't be done, should not interrupt those of us who are
doing it.
Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com
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