Treble tuning for elderly clients

[Charlie Potter]

I have tuned to GOOD and the old lady said it stinks. I had her play it and 
set the notes the way she liked. It is not  about us but what the customer 
wants,She is now happy and i am mortified. I hope she doesnt tell anyone who 
tuned her piano. It is important that she be able to enjoy her beloved piano 
for the few years she has Charlie
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Porritt, David" <dporritt at mail.smu.edu>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Monday, March 13, 2006 7:04 PM
Subject: RE: Treble tuning for elderly clients


Jurgen:

I've noticed that with the early loss of the high frequencies they perceive 
the sounds to be flat in the high treble, then as the loss gets worse they 
finally don't hear a tone and perceive that there's no tone.  I remember one 
teacher who had 3 pianos - all with screaming trebles - and she was telling 
me there was no tone "just a wooden thud".  To me this is the most difficult 
situation we face.  Telling a person that their beloved piano has died is 
the second most difficult.  Telling them the piano is fine and your hearing 
is going is the toughest.

dave

__________________________
David M. Porritt, RPT
Meadows School of the Arts
Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX 75275
dporritt at smu.edu

________________________________

From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org on behalf of Jurgen Goering
Sent: Mon 3/13/2006 5:37 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Treble tuning for elderly clients


Conrad's reply to the "ohoh" thread spurs me to ask a question regarding 
tuning for elderly clients, I'll say 70+ yrs. of age. Often when they call 
me for tuning, the main complaint is about the piano being especially out of 
tune in the high treble. When I get to the piano, the mid section is wildly 
out and the treble is much more in tune. I tune the piano properly, but 
sometimes I'm not convinced I have solved the problem in the high treble, 
according to their ears.

Just what is their perception? I tend to think that there is some high 
frequency hearing loss going on there, perhaps coupled with a heightened 
sensitivity to certain partials or frequency interactions that are painful 
for them to listen to.

Surely I'm not the only technician encountering this. How can we tune the 
piano properly and do the client justice without implying "if this sounds 
bad to you, you better get your ears checked"? (I had my ears checked not 
too long ago, and there was no hearing loss apparent, in case anyone is 
wondering... :^)

Jurgen Goering
Piano Forte Supply
(250) 754-2440
info at pianofortesupply.com
http://www.pianofortesupply.com


On Mar 13, 2006, at 10:11 AM, Conrad Hoffsommer wrote:

I'd be inclined to go further in John's direction and actually question (to 
myself whilst in his presence) the _owner's_ hearing in that range. After 
all, it was the _owner_ who wanted to note higher, not the tuner.

Was the owner also of a certain age???

Conrad Hoffsommer




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