Terry, The pain in your arm sounds the same as what I had years ago when I was repairing small engines. Got to the point where I had to use my left hand on the pull rope. Spent 2 years with doctors trying to solve the problem to no avail. Finally changed doctors and mentioned the problem. He poked around and told me it seemed like "tennis elbow". He had me wear a little strap on my arm just below my elbow. (These are available at most pharmacies.) The pain dissapeared in less than a month and has never returned. Good luck. Louis Verkoelen Associate Technician Big Bear City, CA -----Original Message----- From: owner-pianotech@ptg.org [mailto:owner-pianotech@ptg.org]On Behalf Of Farrell Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2001 4:24 AM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: Re: Key Whakker/Thumper...you boys are in trouble! Robin, I only tune about 15 pianos a week. Yes, I know I am in trouble. I am trying to manage it. That's what all the whakker banter is about. I have listened to others tune, and I know I don't hit the keys any harder than others. I do believe it benefits my tuning stability to hit them firmly, so I do. My whakking arm is real sore from my wrist to my elbow. Especially around the elbow. It sure feels like bruised tendons or some such thing. I did not have an income for several years before going into piano technology. Only now for the first time in 5 years am I producing a measurable (positive that is) income. My wife just quit her job to go into business for herself. I have wished the bills to stop coming for a couple months, but they don't. I must tune most every piano that I have the opportunity to tune. There are many (well maybe some) folks that smoke cigarettes for 50 years or more and do not have any ill health effects. While others smoke for a few years and get lung cancer, etc. You know there are numerous other examples, nuff said. I don't doubt that there may be some subtle mechanical defect in my finger whakking style. I wish I had a pro to tell me what it might be, if that is a factor. Crap happens to some folks and not to others. I suggest that you simply be thankful to the key whakking gods for your good health. I'm hoping that my whakker gives my arm enough rest to heal. "> Concert Pianists practice 8 hrs and more a day.......How many of them > use...... Key Whakker/Thumpers?.....think about it!!" I don't play. Not too many concert pianists with tendon trouble. Those that do have trouble, maybe that's why they are not concert pianists. Besides, I never claimed my key whakker sounded very good! :-) Terry Farrell Piano Tuning & Service Tampa, Florida mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com ----- Original Message ----- From: "Robin Stevens" <pianotun@pirie.gulf.net.au> To: "ChatPage" <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2001 3:01 AM Subject: Re: Key Whakker/Thumper...you boys are in trouble! > List....I have read the diatribe on this extra mechanical devise that many > are using to be able to continue to tune pianos, with great > concern. > > If you are experiencing pain in you striking arm it is suggesting that you > are either tuning too many pianos a day/week or ....most likely....applying > a striking blow far in excess of the required downweight needed. > > I also would like to add that a very big percentage of customers would be > horrified when they see you apply this closed fist assault on their prize > instrument with a Whakker/thumper etc. > > Most of these customers would be too polite to say anything, but their minds > must be in a turmoil over whether they should ask you to be less aggressive > with their beloved piano. > > I would suggest that if you are tuning too many pianos a day/week....have a > break and let the injury heal or.... have a close look at your technique and > adjust accordingly. > > I tune 25-30 pianos a week and I hit very hard... but the only injuries I > have at the end of the week are tender finger tips. > > Concert Pianists practice 8 hrs and more a day.......How many of them > use...... Key Whakker/Thumpers?.....think about it!! > > Robin (Aussie) > > > > > > > > >
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