[pianotech] Tuning arm problems

[John Ross]

 I have been  lucky not to have had any pain tuning.
I hadn't given any thought as to how I used my arm.
I seem to kind of 'lock' my arm, and use my body weight to turn the hammer.
It is kind of hard to explain, but I don't really use the muscle pull of my arms, except for the final fine stuff.
John Ross,
Windsor, Nova Scotia.
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Gerald Groot 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 2:25 PM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning arm problems


  Change positions with that arm often. Stand up more while tuning verticals.  Don't always sit in the same position.  Repetitive movement causes injuries.  Especially if we continue this movement from the same position and also especially if our arms or backs begin to ache and we don't let them rest.  Rest your arm regularly if it starts getting tired.  

   

  While lowering pitch on verticals, stand up, placing the tuning hammer at about the 11 AM or maybe 10 AM position so you are pushing down rather than sitting, pushing up.  If sitting, rest your elbow when possible, on the fall board or something else so your arm is at a resting position instead of lifted up into the air.   Use leverage when your elbow is resting on something to move the tuning hammer and pin like your wrist and hand instead of your arm and elbow.  

   

  Instead of grabbing the tuning hammer with your fingers only, turn your hand around and grab it similar to a bass ball bat, grasping it with a closed hand position with your hand turned over, palm facing more towards the treble section of the piano pointing upwards.  Wrap your hand around the tuning hammer and pull on it in this fashion rather than yanking on it or bump it down or up.   Possibly an impact hammer would be helpful as well.  

   

  On grands, again, change positions often.  Tune from maybe around a 3 PM position so your arm is not extended as much and you can then rest your arm on the stretcher or, anywhere rather than holding it up off from the piano.  Again, try using the bump bump method to move the tuning hammer rather than the jerking method.  

   

  I find keeping my arm more bent rather than straight seems to not tire or stress it as much as tuning in an out stretched manner.  

   

  Just some ideas.  I'm sure you will have more coming your way as well.  Good luck.  

   

  Jer Groot

   

   

   

  From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of KeyKat88 at aol.com
  Sent: Sunday, November 15, 2009 1:03 PM
  To: pianotech at ptg.org
  Subject: [pianotech] Tuning arm problems

   

  Greetings,

   

          Since I injured my arm in August, I have started to use my other arm on some tuning but not all. 

   

         I've been getting massage therapy and it seems to help, but sometimes it just comes back even after 3 days of non-use. Anyone have suggestions for "tennis elbow" releif.

   

  Thanks

  Julia Gottshall

  Reading, PA




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