[pianotech] tuning

[Tom Driscoll]

Marshall,
 I'll refrain from the dietary suggestions as I need improvement in that 
area myself, but I do have suggestions for easing the strain both mentally 
and physically.
One of my service calls yesterday illustrates well.
 The piano was an old upright that I have serviced some years before. It was 
@ pitch so a P.R. was not required.
  First I adjust pedals --especially sustain.  I tuned the middle section 
from the first tenor string to the break. Mentally notating any issues along 
the way. Then adjusted  lost motion in that section , reglued as few loose 
hammers, spaced a damper , Etc. Quick tuned bass from top down --same 
troubleshooting . Then treble tuning -same deal on action - keys.
I got up went to the car and smoked a joint---JUST KIDDING --wanted to see 
if you guy's were paying attention. Actually I go out for a few minutes if 
I need something from the car or not.
 I made out the invoice .
I then leveled a few natural keys  and fine tuned the bass. Recheck unisons 
throughout.
Present the invoice then walk away to reassemble the case and put my tools 
away.
I'm finishing that task ,  hopefully putting on my coat as the check arrives 
so my retreat less likely to be slowed down by stories of the blind piano 
tuner , Grandma was a concert pianist and my father and brothers smashed up 
an old piano and threw it out.

It may take a bit longer when each task is broken up this way , but  I don't 
jam my appointments together as I might have done as a younger man.
Just my take.

Tom D.
P.S. I think this can help in avoiding repetitive motion problems. I.E. 
carpal tunnel syndrome







Subject: Re: [pianotech] tuning


> Marshall-
>
> Excellent advice from Rob McCall. Learn about the glycemic index, and keep 
> at it, learning to make better food choices. Get your family involved and 
> learn new ways to eat.
>
> Also, practice relaxed tuning, pausing often to "shake out" your body 
> tension in whatever way works for you. It gets better as you get better 
> over the years. Learn to work efficiently with an easy focus. Aim for 
> three comfortable tunings in a day, and trust your body about more than 
> that.
>
> (Subscribe to my.ptg lists for more!)
>
> Ed Sutton