Tuning the upper treble

[Kenneth W. Burton]

	Dale,

	Further to changing to your left hand while tuning the higher
treble on a grand piano:

	Paul Brown, of Vancouver, BC, has an unusual approach to tuning
which he swears, eliminates back strain and arm strain while tuning. In
the high treble area of a grand piano, he uses the tuning hammer at about
the 9 o'clock position. He hooks his thumb and forefinger around the
handle and then uses the other three fingers of his left hand on a nearby
strut of the piano. He simply closes these fingers to obtain the needed
force to move the hammer and the pin.
	Paul gave me this information as one of the Twenty Techniques in
my book, DIFFERENT STROKES. However, you may want to contact him directly.
He also uses this technique in tuning uprights.

	Ken Burton "Doctor Piano" Calgary Alberta

On Sun, 15 Sep 1996 DaleP34429@aol.com wrote:

> Ted,
>     I am also more comfortable with a short tuning hammer tip but have found
> the same problem with pianos that you describe. Since you have until
> Christmas before you see the piano, this is my suggestion.
>    Try tuning the upper treble with your left hand. I assume from your
> description you are a right handed technician. It takes practice to learn but
> there are many benefits. If your right hand is injured, you can still work if
> you are able to use your left. I began learning by using my left hand for
> pitch raises then finer tuning as I gained confidence in my technique. In my
> case, my left hand technique is somewhat different than my usual right hand
> technique. Right hand is an overhead grip, left hand is underhand.  I hope
> this will help.
>
> Dale Probst
> Registered Piano Technician
> Ward & Probst, Inc.
> Piano & Organ Service
> Wichita Falls, TX
>