List, Since I don't do concert work, I won't delve into the fork or float discussion, however, I would like to comment on something I came across a while back. Several years ago, Norman Neblett gave a class called " So you want to be a concert tuner ". This was later sold as a tape for around $10-$15 either through Norman or Rick Baldassin. The tape addresses the pitch subject well. I believe he mentioned one of his experiences to be that the Vienna Philharmonic showed up and 1/2 hour before curtain time, in finding the piano at 440, they refused to perform unless it was brought up to 442. Under high stress he changed it. I believe that his solution (after that) was to have a contract with the concert hall that all tunings were to be at 440 and for all performers to know this ahead of time or make other arrangments. I also believe that any custom deviation (pitch, regulation, voicing or otherwise) he would charge for the deviation, changing it back after the concert plus his normal work. This tape is designed for piano technicians in a concert setting however many of the things taught can be used in our everyday work dealing with people, especially those who tend to be fussy. It also teaches ideas on how we are perceived by the public and our public image. For this reason, he only sells it to piano technicians and he asks that it not be played for everyone, but rather keep its use limited to piano technicians. The tape is well worth the money. I believe Norman will still make you a copy. Ron Shiflet
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