A First Tuning

[pianotune05]

Michelle,
Are you going to the convention in Rochester?  I cannot make it this year, but I do plan on attending the regional one in October.  

I think it's great that you're doing so well i n this.  That's great.  I'm moving along as well.  I didn't start with an ETD. I did have the opportunity to get a close look at one, and find that they are a little hard to read, the numbers on the display.  I'm doing it all by ear, so when my son's crying or the dog's barking or my wife's interupting me when I'm practicing on her Kimball, I tend to lose my cool. :)  

I have the Randy Potter course here, but I started to really learn this stuff when I had hands on with a great RPT in Chicago and another tuner here In IN.  It's a long road, but I'm getting there.  

I did my first customer tuning possibly before I was really ready, but desperate finances call for desperate measures.  I did well because I've been invited back.  My speed is a factor, and I'm not sure how to overcome it only by continueal practice I guess.  Hopefully, I'll be able to actually get my wife's piano done tomorrow inbetween the yard sale, cutting the grass, helping her with two office cleanings, well one's a church, and our son's nap and feeding schedule.  
Marshall
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michelle Smith 
  To: 'Pianotech List' 
  Sent: Friday, June 02, 2006 10:20 PM
  Subject: RE: A First Tuning


  Hi Marshall.  I'm going to answer this on the list because a couple of people have asked.  All of you seasoned tuners out there can commence cringing at my lack of experience.  

   

  I decided to enter this field in January of this year, purchased the Randy Potter course, read ever darned word of the thing(!), and purchased a Cybertuner.  I've practiced extensively on my baby grand and two clunkers, have tuned the pianos of several family/friends, and have now tuned 2 customer pianos.  

   

  While I do depend on my ETD very much, I take the time to check my intervals in the temperament area before moving on with the tuner.  I don't feel quite ready to tune a customer piano completely by ear.  As far as time is concerned, it takes me 2 to 2.5 hours if I have to do a pitch raise.

   

  I've also gotten involved with my local chapter, attended an Associate Seminar (I highly recommend one of these), and have a casual arrangement with a local rebuilder where I can visit/do work for free.  (Aka slave labor.)

   

  If my husband were sitting here, he would tell you I'm obsessed.   A tuner friend told me with my musician's ear and obsessive tendencies, I should do just fine in this business.  Ha Ha Ha!

   

  Have a wonderful weekend.

   

  Michelle Smith

  Bastrop, Texas

   

   

   

   

   

   


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  From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of pianotune05
  Sent: Friday, June 02, 2006 9:48 PM
  To: Pianotech List
  Subject: Re: A First Tuning

   

  Hi MIchelle,

  As a new tech myself, I'm curious. How long did it take you to tune this piano?  How many tunings did you do before you first paid one?  I'm just curious to see how others are doing?

  Marshall
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