A First Tuning

[Robert Finley]

Hello Michelle. I am at a similar stage to yourself. I also have the Randy Potter course, and have tuned pianos that usually take about 2 hours to complete. I hope my speed will increase with practice. I have an Accutuner and found this helpful to check the accuracy of my tuning when I do some of it by ear. I now find that I am getting to the stage where the lights on the Accutuner move slowly or are fixed on some of the notes in the temperament, so I guess that shows that my accuracy is improving, and soon, hopefully, I will be able to tune entirely by ear. I also found it helpful to tune the temperament using the Accutuner and listen to the beat rates of the various intervals  This helped me to adjust them by ear because I know what the beat rates should sound like and how they should gradually get faster going up the keyboard. 

The hardest thing I find so far is to tune the octaves and unisons in the highest part of the treble because the sound dies away so quickly and it is difficult to detect any ripple in order to compare beat rates. I have tried various tests that have been suggested but it's still difficult to do. Another challenge is getting the unisons in the treble to stay in tune. I apply firm test blows to equalize the string tension and set the pins by tuning slightly higher and bringing it down to zero beat, but they still tend to go out. I guess it requires a lot of patience, perseverance and practice. 

Robert Finley
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Michelle Smith 
  To: 'Pianotech List' 
  Sent: Friday, June 02, 2006 11:20 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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