A-440 and Ethics.

[Mike McCoy]

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I have yet to walk away from a piano leaving it flat, and the majority 
of my customer base is 1920-30's uprights and I do it all at once with 
RCT. Rarely do strings break and once I had 3, but that was the most. I 
don't do this because of any philosophy of mine, but because it has been 
what I learned from the Potter course, convention classes and other 
techs I respect. It was explained to me that early on that ear training 
is very important for piano students. If the piano is intended for 
lessons and it can not handle a pitch raise then it's time for a 
different piano, but I have not had to condemn one yet. It is also my 
understanding that if the plate breaks because of a pitch 
raise/correction then there was  most likely a defect in the plate, is 
that not true??

Is a new student's progress hampered by a flat piano?

Mike



Mike McCoy
Langhorne, Pa

Alpha88x@aol.com wrote:

> Greetings,
>
>             Usually, when I get a tuning call, it is a piano which 
> hasn't been kept up the tunings on. I always ask how long since it was 
> last tuned. They usually don't know. especially if they have taken in 
> an "orphan" piano.
>
>              I do not like to raise the A4 pitch on any piano more 
> than say 1/4 a tone or so, if it's been neglectd tunings. This is 
> because I don't want to run the risk of cracking anyone's harp plate, 
> let alone breaking strings. Especially on the little spinets, whose 
> plates are 5/8" or less thick.
>
>               When I get to the house, I check the A-440 and it's 
> octaves and get an idea of the overall tone of the piano; whrere it 
> went flat the most. I always explain the concept of A-440 to the 
> customer, and more times than not, it doesnt matter to them if its up 
> to A-440 or not.
>
>            They just would like it in tune with itself. I also explain 
> that pianos are designed to be tuned to A-440 for best results. 
> (unless it is an extremely old, dry upright that's seen better days 
> and wont let you even gradually take it up that far, even with 
> subsequent tunings/loose pins or bridges coming off) I tune it the 
> best I can get it, to sound at the A-4?? and suggest subsequent 
> tunings so we can gradually get it there. They agree to a reminder 
> card from me for follow ups ....say, 4 to 6 mo for the first 
> follow-up. I also inform them that with each tuning the piano becomes 
> more stable and to never let a piano go more than 2 years max.
>
>           On hearing these pianos, they are so, so neglected and out 
> of tune, the piano /always/ sounds better upon my departure, and thats 
> all alot of folks want in order to start the kid's lessons, without 
> paying "an arm and a leg".  With customers who are more vigilant of 
> how their piano sounds is another matter.
>
>           My tuning teacher used to say "As long as it sounds a lot 
> better when you leave than from when you arrived".
>
> Julia,
> Reading, PA


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