[pianotech] Striving for the "wow" factor, was Re: Exams discussion - Odd?

[Paul Williams]

Wim, Duaine and all.

If it makes any sense to you all;  I tune every piano as if I would have to play it myself and record it. Of course, a Steinway D makes  a "perfect" tuning even close to possible; a Winter spinet: not even close. BUT: I will do the best job I can on every instrument!  That's what we are supposed to do! Aren't we???

Just coasting through a crappy piano with a so so tuning looks  bad on us, the customer, and the piano!!  Unfortunately, some of those old crappy pianos don't sound much better to US after you started then when finished, but, by Golly, we HAVE to do our best with every instrument!!  For those who don't even try to do this: then, please stay out of the organization. It just looks bad on the rest of us!!.

I don't care if you choose ETD's or aurally, really, for the day to day tunings or even concert tunings.  Each of us have what works for them.  Use them, BUT:  continue to learn more "tricks" to do a better job, and let's leave each other alone to do that!!  My delete button is getting worn out!

Best tunings to you all!

Paul


From: <tnrwim at aol.com<mailto:tnrwim at aol.com>>
Reply-To: <pianotech at ptg.org<mailto:pianotech at ptg.org>>
Date: Mon, 14 May 2012 14:43:02 -0400
To: <pianotech at ptg.org<mailto:pianotech at ptg.org>>
Subject: [pianotech] Striving for the "wow" factor, was Re: Exams discussion - Odd?



OK, enough with the "wow" factor. Where would you use such tunings ?

Symphonies, maybe, BUT, the piano is only one instrument in the rest of them.

For the average Joe like me, that tunes for home owners - who usually new to old
beaters, and churches, who almost
never, have solos anymore - they are in some sort of a praise band.

So, the "wow" factor must be for those "elite" customers - who really give a
damn about how a piano sounds - Right ?

Which I would probably refuse to tune for them............

Just sayin'

--
Duaine Hechler

Duaine

If you're not striving for a "wow" factor when you tune even a Winter spinet or a beat up old upright, then you're not doing your job. As Will said, I tune pianos for my satisfaction. If it makes the customer happy, that's a side benefit. And hopefully she will recommend me to her friends and relatives, because that's how I built my customer base. But if the piano doesn't satisfy my ear, then I've not done a good job. And it's amazing how well even the Winter spinet can sound when it's in tune.

Now, if you don't care about building a tuning clientele, and all you're interested in is repairing player pianos and pump organs, then that's your choice. But don't degrade those of us for whom tuning is an honored and respected profession, and who take pride in our work.

Speaking of players and pump organs. I'm glad you're still interested in doing this kind of work, because there are fewer and fewer old player pianos left, and it is a dying profession. As much as the PTG would like to offer more classes and articles on those instruments, like any other product, if there is limited demand, it's not going to get featured. By the same token, while we respect your abilities to do your work, and don't question your reasons for doing it, please respect the work aural tuners do, and don't question, much less degrade, their work.
Wim

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