FREE FALLING FALLBOARD

[Barb Barasa]

Jim,

Firstly, I would bet that the piano was either tuned below pitch the
last time (either because the owner would not pay for a pitch raise
or because the tuner didn't know how to do one - yes, there are those
folks out there!), and that may be the only tuning the piano has had
since it was delivered.

Anyway, my policy on pitch raises on pianos which are not owned by
musicians is to tell the customer that there are three "parts" of a
piano being properly "in tune": the A is at 440, the unisons are
perfect (and I explain what a unison is), and the intervals are
equally tempered (I explain this as best I can in non-technical
terms).  Then I tell them that parts 2 and 3 can be perfect, the
piano will sound perfect, but all the notes will be lower than
"proper" frequency.  I explain that no one other than a person with
perfect pitch memory will know the difference, BUT if they try to
play the piano with other instruments, those instruments probably
will not be able to tune down to the piano.  So if they want to
accompany their kid on the flute or whatever, they definitely need a
pitch raise.  Then I leave it up to them.

I always charge extra for a pitch raise, and I also explain why to
them.

I agree that in the Best of All Possible Worlds all pianos should be
tuned to A440.  However, customers who balk at this do not have concert
quality instruments.  They usually have the old spinet or upright
that no one ever plays.  I feel I am doing a service if I take a
piano that is horribly out of tune and leave it sounding beautiful
.... even if it is not at A440.  Is it better to have a kid practicing
on a badly out of tune (with itself) piano, or on a piano with
correct intervals and unisons that is below pitch?  I am also an
orchestral musician, and I pick the latter.

But as I said, I go to great lengths to educate the customer as to
his/her options.

Barb Barasa
Ashland  OR


>   2.  When confronted with a piano requiring a pitch raise, and the
> owner refuses to pay charges beyond a standard tuning fee, do you (a)
> refuse to do the work, (b) tune the piano at current pitch  (c) spend
> the extra time and do the job right for the standard fee?
>
"When nothing is sure,
     everything is possible."