Concert tuning was: President's message

[Avery Todd]

Barbara,

This makes me SO glad I'm spoiled because of where I work! :-)

The temp/humidity is pretty well maintained and we also have very NEW
type of lights that don't put out much heat that would affect a piano!
A harpsichord, maybe! Damn it! :-)

Avery

At 01:31 PM 9/13/05, you wrote:
>Aw, Susan, I want to be paid money for my work.  Yeah, I get 
>satisfaction from it, but that issue is up to me.  As far as unisons 
>slipping--well, there are a loads of factors--not just a tech's 
>hammer technique.  I work in a performance facility and frankly, I'm 
>a little on edge about a big concert on Friday--piano soloist with 
>orchestra.  It's been hotter than you know what here, the university 
>is saving money by not running the AC when there isn't an event 
>scheduled and won't turn the AC on until some hours before the hall 
>rental begins.  So, the piano has been sitting in 80-90 degree heat, 
>the AC will come on and then let's throw in the effect of the stage 
>lights.  Oh, did I mention that the piano really could use a new 
>pinblock and is a ***** to tune?
>
>Did I asked if the AC could be turned on the day before?  Yup.
>
>Are they going to do it?  Nope.
>
>Am I going to have to touch-up the piano between the rehearsal and 
>performance?  Yup.
>
>Do I expect to be paid for that service?  Yup.
>
>There's no doubt that technicians' abilities vary, but touching up 
>the piano between rehearsals and performances is considered quite 
>normal.  If it's not, why do all these contracts that come through 
>specifically list that service?  ;-)
>
>Barbara Richmond, RPT
>
>
>----- Original Message ----- From: "Susan Kline" <skline@peak.org>
>To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
>Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 11:42 AM
>Subject: Re: President's message
>
>
>>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 ...)
>
>
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