[CAUT] when to tune...

[Jim Busby]

Hi Alan,

I had the same situation for the Mormon Tab Choir and here are some things that might help. I got a white sheet to cover the piano and reflect the sunlight. This REALLY seemed to help because w/o it the black piano heated up in just minutes. With it on it stayed fairly cool to the touch. Next, keep the lid closed and the cool plate acts like "blue ice" in a cooler. The strings will stay moderately constant. When I've opened up the piano the strings responded too much to the ambient temperature.

To answer your real question, I'd tune it in the morning just to fix anything majorly wrong, then tune it again just before the performance. The other things are tricks I've used many times which work for me.

Best,
Jim Busby

From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of reggaepass at aol.com
Sent: Thursday, October 07, 2010 11:02 AM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: [CAUT] when to tune...

This Saturday a piano in my care will be used in an outdoor performance.  I have been allotted time from 7-9 AM to service it, and again at 1 PM prior to the 2 PM down beat.  I will also be able to spend time with it Friday afternoon, INdoors.  Friday night, everything goes "outside."  The piano will be covered (floor-length skirt), but, aside from that, will spend the night exposed to the elements.

My question is this:  Do y'all think  it would be productive or counterproductive to tune the piano from 7-9 AM, or am I better off letting it warm up (and dry out!) during the morning hours, then do what I can in the time just before the performance (assuming, of course, that I do not get bumped from that slot!).

Thoughts?

Thanks,

Alan Eder

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