President's message

[Susan Kline]

Timothy, thanks for coming forward. I think we needed to
hear some of this.

<< Here's a
question for you: I've seen local techs who don't set pins
properly, then when the pins slip after a rehearsal, they
want to charge more to fix unisons before the
performance.>>

I never _ever_ _ever_ _ever_ would do this! They hire me to
tune for a concert, I tune for the concert, pre- or mid-
added in as needed. I do insist on free admission. I consider
it a perk that goes with the job. The job, for me, is to
get the piano right (and keep it right) to the greatest of
my ability, and that includes listening to it being played.

I can't understand technicians tuning for concerts and then
not going to them -- like painting a picture wearing a
blindfold. And once there, what more natural than to touch
up whatever needs touching up? Would I prefer to sit there
listening to even slightly unhappy unisons, saying "I did
that, I wonder if anybody else is noticing?"

Susan (Conrad's latest-model flamesuit casually slung over
shoulder, ready if needed ...)

At 10:52 AM 9/12/2005 -0500, you wrote:
>List,
>
>As mainly a "reader," I appreciate learning so much from
>your conversations and archives.  As a Steinway artist
>and university prof. who enjoys working on his own
>pianos, my perspective might be a bit different from a
>typical customer.  Both sides of this discussion make
>valid points, but my only concern is an attitude that "my
>work is always perfect since I'm the pro."  I can't afford
>that view of myself as a musician or teacher:  as a
>teacher, much of it involves seeing and respecting the
>perspective of other people (even when I also see their
>sophomorism); as a musician, a self-critical attitude
>promotes growth, improvement, work, etc.  BTW, even
>though I'm the "expert," I'm always learning from my
>students.
>
>A list of my experience with technicians could go on and
>on, and most of them are very positive, but when they're
>not so positive, it is often due to this attitude.  Here's a
>question for you: I've seen local techs who don't set pins
>properly, then when the pins slip after a rehearsal, they
>want to charge more to fix unisons before the
>performance.  Who's to know who's "right" here?
>Perhaps it's the piano, perhaps the player is being too
>picky, yes--but there's also the possibility the technician
>isn't setting the strings and pins properly and doesn't
>realize this.  Is it just a question of the technician's time?
>I don't know the answer to this, but wouldn't you agree
>that if a piano goes out of tune after 1/2 hour of playing,
>there's probably a problem with the technician's
>technique (I'm not talking about old PSO's)?
>
>On one occasion, I saw a store technician voice a
>hammer past the point of deadness in the attempt to
>eliminate a buzz, when the actual problem was a damper
>wire touching the string.  Then there were the leather key
>bushings that squeaked and stuck, that a technician at a
>major university did not notice.  OK--you get the point--I'm
>not trying to pick on technicians.  Technicians are skilled
>professionals, and, yes, some are artists.
>
>Anyone can miss something--a pianist can misread a
>note or harmony, and when this happens to me, I'm
>grateful if someone tells me.  I don't want to spend time
>practicing a misreading.  That's a clear-cut case, and
>most situations aren't that clear.  Still, I think no matter
>how much of an expert you are, it's good to be responsive
>to people's perceptions, and to realize that there's always
>the chance that you might have missed something.
>
>Just my 2 cents worth.
>
>Tim
>
>Timothy Ehlen
>U of Illinois
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>---- Original message ----
> >Date: Mon, 12 Sep 2005 07:30:39 -0400
> >From: Phil Bondi <phil@philbondi.com>
> >Subject: Re: President's message
> >To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
> >
> >
> >
> >Ric Brekne wrote:
> >
> >I don't think I'll regret this:
> >
> >>  Many non tuners read the journal and indeed this list.
>And very many
> >> indeed are going to react as myself and obviously
>significant numbers
> >> of other techs.
> >
> >If there are people out there reading this to support this
>allegation, I
> >would hope that those people would come forward and
>express the same
> >displeasure/disturbing feeling that has been made
>here.
> >
> >I am more than just a little tired of allegations without
>numbers being
> >put into text..being made public on a world-wide list of
>respected
> >professionals..which is what I am losing when I read
>stuff like
> >this..respect.
> >
> >no flame suit required.
> >
> >-Phil Bondi(Fl)
> >
> >
> >___________________________________________
>____
> >pianotech list info:
>https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>_______________________________________________
>pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives