lessons learned

[John Ross]

I did say, if at all possible. In other words, I give it a try, after
explaining the consequences.
Sometimes none break, sometimes just 2 or 3. If more break, then obviously,
we don't go up.
The main point, I was trying to make, is that I don't think the extra
tension in going to A440, is what would make them break, they would break
even if you took them to A435. The older pianos can take the extra tension,
or all the ones I have brought up do. Possibly, I have been lucky.
Regards,
John M. Ross
Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alan" <tune4u@earthlink.net>
To: "'Pianotech'" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2003 11:38 PM
Subject: RE: lessons learned


> Must be a Canadian thing.
>
> Good-naturedly, respectfully, I disagree. A very rusty old piano, as
> described, I would tune flat if I thought strings were going to be
> snapping left and right. (Notice I did not use the word "flat" in
> describing it to the customer.)
>
> Unless little Debbie has perfect pitch, I don't think we will ruin her
> chances of musical stardom. On the other hand, learning on a rusty old
> upright just might!
>
> What those folks need is a new piano, OR a complete rebuild from yours
> truly.
>
> Alan R. Barnard
> Salem, MO
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On
> Behalf Of John Ross
> Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2003 9:15 PM
> To: Pianotech
> Subject: Re: lessons learned
>
> I always take them up to A440, if at all possible. Mind you, not if it
> is
> just a little old lady, that just uses it for Hymns.
> I feel if a child is taking lessons, that the ear needs to hear the
> proper
> pitch, for future reference.
> Regards,
> John M. Ross
> Windsor, Nova Scotia, Canada
> jrpiano@win.eastlink.ca
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Alan" <tune4u@earthlink.net>
> To: "'Pianotech'" <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2003 10:23 PM
> Subject: RE: lessons learned
>
>
> > Terry Farrell said: "... explaining why you want to charge them for
> TWO
> > pitch raises on that rusty 1915 Starr upright."
> >
> > To which I add: "And why we are going to tune it a little lower in
> pitch
> > than modern pianos. Rather than increasing the risk of breakage tuning
> > this here A to 440 cycles per second (Ouch. That Hz!) we will tune it
> to
> > 435. When this piano was built, that was a generally accepted pitch
> > standard and the piano was designed to be at that pitch, anyway."
> >
> > I think that I actually say this in a whole lot fewer words but,
> > considering it's me, maybe not!
> >
> > Alan R. Barnard
> > Salem, MO
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On
> > Behalf Of Farrell
> > Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2003 7:30 PM
> > To: Pianotech
> > Subject: Re: lessons learned
> >
> > "But I think in the future I would consider explaining "a string might
> > fail" BEFORE doing a large pitch raise."
> >
> > ABSOLUTELY! I do it before ANY pitch raise on any piano. That will go
> a
> > long way toward explaining why you want to charge them for TWO pitch
> > raises on that rusty 1915 Starr upright that is 100 cents flat!
> >
> > On a newer piano and/or a small pitch raise, I will still inform them
> of
> > the risk of string breakage, but then also say that it is unusual for
> > strings to break on a newer piano like theirs - just to put them at
> ease
> > (even though you have put them on notice!).
> >
> > Terry Farrell
> >
> > ----- Original Message ----- 
> > From: "Charles Neuman" <piano@charlesneuman.net>
> > To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > Sent: Sunday, July 13, 2003 5:26 PM
> > Subject: Re: lessons learned
> >
> >
> > > Mike Kurta wrote:
> > > >     Hi Charles:
> > > >     No, No, No, don't say those statements, don't even think that
> > way.
> > > > First and foremost, protect yourself by pre-conditioning the
> > customer by
> > > > educating him or her...
> > >
> > > Thanks Mike,
> > >
> > > That's just the kind of thing I was looking for. Would you recommend
> > > educating the customer in this way before doing just a tuning?
> Suppose
> > > nothing is broken (yet), and you fear that some elbows will break
> > during
> > > the tuning.
> > >
> > > I have successfully gotten through the "a string failed" speech, and
> I
> > > purposely gave a low price to replace it to show that I wasn't
> making
> > it
> > > up. But I think in the future I would consider explaining "a string
> > might
> > > fail" BEFORE doing a large pitch raise. That way, a customer CHOOSES
> > the
> > > pitch raise, fully knowing all the risks. Then I would feel more
> > > comfortable charging a more apropriate rate for a string
> replacement.
> > >
> > > Thanks for the tips. This is really helpful.
> > >
> > > Charles Neuman
> > > PTG Assoc, Long Island
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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