I agree. A proactive approach need not be rude and is generally effective. I have never had a problem telling someone, in a polite way, that I needed quiet nor had them respond other than apologetically that they were unaware. The times reserved for tuning in a noisy environment should be reserved for those unusual situations in which we must perform our job and circumstances are genuinely beyond our control. David Love davidlovepianos@comcast.net -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of David Skolnik Sent: Thursday, November 11, 2004 10:03 PM To: Pianotech Subject: Re: "should I stay or should I go?" Kent - I don't mean to single you out, as I know there have been many others who have responded similarly to this thread, BUT, having previously indicated my own awareness of the need for flexibility, I am, nevertheless, disappointed by a general willingness to adopt a passive approach, even when it would seem clear that the situation cries out for the pro-active. Case in point. Yesterday, after reading and responding to the initial post by Quentin Coderville, I had a call for an emergency tuning (they said "touch up", but it was a tuning) for a Tony Bennett performance, in a venue at which I had no previous experience. I went in after the dress rehearsal. While I had spoken with the production manager before hand, I hadn't thought to ask him to make sure everyone knew to either leave or be quiet, so, as I began, a few clusters of stage hands and others continued to converse, with clearly no intention of leaving (sitting comfortably in the front row) or with any awareness that they were, in any way, interfering. Had it, in fact, been only a touch-up, I might have elected to tune through the noise, but the piano was clearly in need, and I had less than an hour to tune and correct some mechanical problems. There was no reason I had to accept added obstacles, and so, feeling freshly empowered by this discussion, I, politely, humorously, but firmly, indicated that I needed quiet. They apologized and departed. A few remained at the back of the theatre, thinking that their conversation could not be heard, so I had to repeat my request in a more projective voice, while trying to maintained the afore mentioned mix of civility and resolve. This too worked. It was only when the ushers began to come in, 10 minutes earlier than I expected, that I knew I was up against a much greater learning curve. The point is, SOMEONE has to teach these people. If I (or you) don't tell them, why SHOULD they know better? Yes, it makes us appear as prima donnas, but for a critical use situation (concert, recording) I think it's perfectly reasonable to expect the same conditions for tuning as for performance. Again, the point is to know when that reasonable expectation cannot reasonably be fulfilled. David Skolnik At 03:46 PM 11/11/2004 -0600, you wrote: >My blood boils when I must tune in a noisy environment, but I do it, >almost always without complaint. > >I remember hearing Ron Nossaman say years ago that in designing a >procedure he would prefer to work for 10 minutes rather than to have to >wait for 5 minutes at any point in the middle. > >My attitude towards noisy tuning environments is an extension of this >attitude, I think. The time spent not tuning and instead upon getting >things quieted down might be worthwhile, but might not work at all, might >cause hard feelings, and after which you still have the tuning to start up >again where you left off. I'd much rather just keep tuning without pause. >Usually, I outlast the noisemakers and have quiet time at the end to make >sure the tuning is good. > >I finish all tunings that I start. Period. Well, unless the piano breaks. :) > >Kent Swafford > > > >On Nov 11, 2004, at 3:12 PM, baoli liu wrote: > >>It is always easy to tune pianos in a nice and quite >>place.But being a technician,especially a concert >>technician,I think it is a "must" skill/ability to >>tune pianos with noisy background. > >_______________________________________________ >pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives _______________________________________________ pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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