David, I think the "Prima Dona" line is about right....the situation you described sounds like NO problem at all. The stress you're bringing down on yourself is totally self-imposed... IMHO David Ilvedson ----- Original message ----------------------------------------> From: David Skolnik <davidskolnik@optonline.net> To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org> Received: Fri, 12 Nov 2004 01:02:57 -0500 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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