an "Open Letter" and apology.

[pianolover 88]

Happy Thanksgiving and Holidays!


I ask that you please read the following in its entirety.

First I would like to thank those who have emailed me (off-list) with words 
of support.  The basic sentiment is that they did not feel that I was: A. 
“bashing” birdcage and/or squares. Indeed, I was speaking for myself ONLY, 
saying that I prefer not to work on them. I in no way was criticizing anyone 
who serviced them. But I do not know of ANY technician, piano teacher or 
anyone else (who knows about pianos) who would recommend these antique 
instruments to anyone just starting out, and interested in learning to play 
the piano. While they are often beautiful instruments to look at, they still 
are obsolete and cannot compare with “modern” pianos for performance and 
tone quality. It would be like a Driver instructor recommending a Model A 
jalopy to a 16-year-old wanting to buy his/her first car. Yes, they can be 
restored to a point, but cannot come close to the performance or safety 
standards of a modern automobile.

B. The “tuning fee” debacle. This got waaay out of hand as well. When 
someone (I won’t name names) implied that “I must not be as ‘good’ as a more 
expensive technician” if I charged less, that’s fine. I’m a big boy and can 
take it. I just felt it was a bit below the belt to call me a “bozo”, and 
“pathetic”, etc. As any fair minded person would agree, high price does not 
always guarantee high quality. For example: The Olsen twins got BIG bucks 
for a recent “film” they starred in. Does that mean that they are great, or 
even good actors? Hardly. Or just because a movie like “airplane”, which I 
thought was hilarious, and made millions at the box office way back when; is 
that a better quality film then, let’s say, Amadeus, which was critically 
aclaimed, but made much less at the box office?

And what I said about addictions was taken totally the wrong way by some 
people. Let me clarify. I lost a very close friend to substance abuse. He 
died  (at only 39) after lapsing into a coma. He lost his wife, house and 
most of his friends; I didn’t abandon him. But I could not help him because 
he was so addicted to pain killers and booze, he was shut off and in his own 
world of denial. He died that way. And addictions like this and worse can 
and DO affect every strata of the social and economic spectrum. Now I know 
some people are unforgiving no matter what, but most people are 
good-hearted, as I believe I am. People who know me see me as a warm, 
friendly person who is usually the first to pick up the check, compliment 
others and have a good, if sometimes “edgy” sense of humor. I have a 
background as a stand-up comedian/actor and, believe it or not, 
ventriloquist! I actually made a living doing that, as well as a radio 
announcer for a few years.

Lastly, I want to offer a sincere apology to ANYONE who I may have offended. 
I have been a list member for several years, having contributed positively 
for the most part, but admittedly, I stepped in it more than a couple times. 
I hope those who were offended will accept my apology. Unfortunately, 
sometimes the printed word is often misconstrued, or taken the wrong way. I 
know sometimes little snips are lifted here and there and then “quoted” out 
of context to make the person look bad. But again, I will take 
responsibility for what I wrote and again say I’m sorry. Please everyone 
have a wonderful thanksgiving and HAPPY HLOIDAYS!!


Terry Peterson