I believe the point should NOT be "how fast can i tune this piano". but rather, "how WELL can I tune it in a reasonable amount of time. To paraphrase what they say in theatre, "the PIANO'S the thing". I like to treat each piano as if it were my own, and i would not do a rush job, but rather work at a comfortable pace that will insure a solid, stable tuning. Terry >From: "John M. Formsma" <jformsma@dixie-net.com> >Reply-To: pianotech@ptg.org >To: <pianotech@ptg.org> >Subject: RE: 45 min tunings >Date: Wed, 17 May 2000 23:35:05 -0500 > >Bill, > ><<Remember that the RPT Tuning Exam is a very specific, controlled >situation. >However, the tolerances that are used can be thought of as minimum >professional standards. Long ago, I made those my standards and would not >charge for a tuning that didn't at least meet minimum professional >standards. > In most cases, I want my work to be well above the minimum. Only in the >case of a piano which cannot be tuned because of structural weakness or >deterioration might I charge for the tuning but inform the customer of the >circumstances.>> > >OK, this is good to hear. Last time when this was discussed on the list, I >was a little unsure about how the quick tunings would sound. If one never >asks, one never knows. I agree with you--that minimum standards ought to be >met whenever possible. > > <<You really can tune the piano much faster twice than you can fight with >it once.>> > >How long does it take to "build up" to this kind of proficiency? I suppose >there comes a time when you just go on "automatic pilot." I have not >reached >that stage yet. > > <<How are your unisons? Three strings perfectly tuned, really close, or >what? [John F]>> > ><<Maybe not as perfect as the most rigorous concert tuning but certainly >well >within minimum professional standards.>> > >So, the thing to keep in mind seems to be that, with a "lesser" piano, >there >can be a loosening of rigid standards, whether set by PTG or oneself. That >means that we don't have to fight with the pianos that refuse to be tamed. >We can do our best, but that's all. > > ><<The purpose for talking about minimum times that it takes for tuning is >to >show what *can* be done, not what must or should be done.>> > >OK. I was getting the impression that a 45 minute tuning was almost the >"standard" that just about everyone (except me <g>) was doing. Maybe one >day I'll get to that standard too. > >Thanks for the response--it was helpful. > >John Formsma >Blue Mountain, MS > > ________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com
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