Powers of observation

[Alan R. Barnard]

Now THAT's funny! 

Alan Barnard
Salem, MO
Joshua 24:15



----- Original message ----------------------------------------
From: "Conrad Hoffsommer" <hoffsoco at luther.edu>
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Received: 11/16/2006 8:28:15 AM
Subject: Powers of observation


>Folks,

>Years ago, when I was expounding on the reason I was teaching an intro 
>course on piano technology, I would use a typical phone conversation of a 
>prospective first time customer. In the course of the conversation, while 
>trying to get as much information as possible about both customer and 
>piano, I'd ask the make.  There would then usually be be a pause. In my 
>mind's eye I could see the customer peering around the corner at the piano 
>they've had for XX years...

>My reasoning was/is; if they don't even know what has been visible just 
>three inches above their fingers, how much do you think they know about the 
>inside of the box?

>Recently, I had my first e-mail equivalent:

>>Conrad, do you tune non-Luther pianos?  If so, we'd be interested in 
>>hiring you to tune our piano.  It's a very good piano--only about 12 years 
>>old--but hasn't been tuned (I'm sorry to say) since we've come to 
>>Decorah!  If not, do you have anyone to recommend? We have heard that ____ 
>>is also good.  Thanks so much!

>> > I certainly do.
>> > Since I have this day job at a local college, (Note: we're both 
>> employees) I'm limited to late
>> > afternoons and Saturdays.  Would mid-late afternoon Saturday the 18th
>> > work?

>>Late afternoon Nov 18 sounds great!  Thanks!  How much will we owe you--or
>>does it depend on the amount of time you need to spend?

>>>My basic tuning fee is $xx, but if it is as bad as it _could_ be after ?? 
>>>years, bringing it back up to pitch would be additional.

> >>>>> Then, the killer question. <<<<<

>>>BTW, what kind of piano is it?

>>This is terrible, but I forget what kind of piano it is--Kawasaki, I think 
>>(I'll check!)--upright.  We have a humidistat in it; it's on an inside 
>>wall ; and our house is pretty well climate-regulated (good news)--but it 
>>has been moved twice since it was last tuned 7ish years ago(bad 
>>news).  Yes, I imagine you'll need to spend some time on it!  It does not 
>>SOUND out of tune, but it does have that "tinny" sound.  Thanks!

>LATER:

>>Our piano is a Yamaha, not Kawasaki!

>>>I wudda lost a bet... I was guessing that it would be a Kawai.
>>>;-}

>>They all sound like motorcycles to me.


>Hmmmmm...
>Saturday should be interesting... ;-}
>Good thing I'm a former owner of both Yamaha and Kawasaki motorcycles, yes?






>Conrad Hoffsommer - Keyboard Technician
>Luther College, 700 College Dr., Decorah, Iowa 52101-1045
>1-(563)-387-1204 // Fax 1-(563)-387-1076

>- Right now, I'm hoping to live until my age matches my golf score,
>- Until then, I'll have to be content to have my IQ match my handicap.



>-- 
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>PM
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