Dear Bob, Rob, List, I have a brother and his family who are bona fide Canadians (and currently Calgarians at that), so I hope you will consider the following short discourse as an alternative route for learning the trade, especially since it is the truth as a result of my own particular experience, and not one necessarily representing the United States of America :-) When I was first introduced to the principles of piano tuning by my Earth-Father, I decided I wasn't interested in learning how to tune pianos, especially after he demonstrated and communicated to me what needed to be done to arrive at the desired results. It was just too much effort in my mind's eye at the time. A little later he gave me a Sight-O-Tuner (SOT) stored on a shelf that was given to him. He wasn't interested in this device and thought I might be. As it turns out, I was very interested. That SOT eventually led to the full time professional activity of tuning pianos. I know everybody has their own story of the pros and cons on this subject, but since that unassuming beginning with the SOT #386, I have been and still am, a devoted customer, follower, and product of the Sanderson legacy. Without reservation I applaud those who endeavor the aural route solely on its merits alone. However, I am living testimony that the route you speak unfavorably against isn't really that awful. In fact, I bank on it each piano I pitch raise and/or tune. And as to the comment, "Remember, pianos are built for aural analysis." I'm not certain that I follow that limited reasoning. Piano manufacturers surely have reasons for building pianos other than aural analysis. Sincerely, Keith A. McGavern kam544@ionet.net Registered Piano Technician Oklahoma Chapter 731 Piano Technicians Guild Oklahoma Baptist University Shawnee, Oklahoma, USA >Rob, > >Couldn't agree with you more!! ( no offence at all... from a Calgarian >non the less). > >Bob Moffatt >Calgary, Alberta >Canada > >Rob Kiddell wrote: > > >> At the risk of offending *many* people on the list NEVER (shouting >> emphasis noted) sell your aural skills short. That includes accepting >> the judgement of an electronic tuning aid over your subjective >> judgement. You simply cannot know whether your aural skills are based >> on what a machine tells you is right. >> Too many tuners that I know have made the mistake of learning from >> a machine, refining their aural skills second, and then returning to >> the machine. This is a waste of time and effort, as you are >> essentially re-learning what your ear already knows. Get as firm a >> grip with your aural skills first (do the temperament and octaves >> without the machine) and check your work with a machine or mentor. >> Machines are useful tools when properly applied. Please learn why you >> are using them!!!! >> >> Remember, pianos are built for aural analysis.
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