A downside to self-employment

[Leslie Bartlett]

Learn to tune softer, less demanding test blows.  It also saves ears. You
might change your hammer position. I carry four hammers, and though I tune
lefty on uprights, and righ-handed on grands, I don't stick with the
standard positions.  It isn't uncommon for me to use three different hammers
on a single piano. I suspect "keeping on" is ignoring body warning signs
which could kick you really hard somewhere down the line. It sounds like
your body is telling you to find some new ways to approach tuning. On of the
locals, a 'two handed tuner' advises if one is a lefty, tune one or two
notes on every tuning with right hand. Then slowly increase that, so that
over time one can become capable of tuning either way.    Dave Porritt tunes
in a way that I was sure couldn't be done, and yet I watched him over and
over slip unisons in like the gods were doing the work.  His technique might
be of some help for you as well. Somwhere you are "out of alignment" when
you tune.  Maybe having someone with twenty years  experience watch you for
awhile might provide some insights also........
les bartlett
houston 
www.bartlettpianoservice.com

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of J W Stein
Sent: Sunday, October 08, 2006 9:33 PM
To: Pianotech List
Subject: Re: A downside to self-employment

Interesting topic.  Speaking about pain,  I wonder if anyone has developed
any neck pains over the years.  I tune with my right hand, thus using left
to strike the keys, and over the years have developed a tightness and pain
on the left side of my neck.  It's annoying but I keep on.

Anyone else have any similar symptons?   Any suggestions for relief, besides

weekly chiropractic visits?


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