Age 0.9 - 1 to 2 years old (applies particularly to piano loan programs) 1.3 - 2 - 15 years old. 1.0 - 16 - 30 years old. 0.7 - 31 - 45 years old. 0.5 - over 45 years old. Usage (2.0) - 0 to 4 hours - light usage (1.7) - 4 to 8 hours - light usage (1.3) - 8 or more hours - light usage (1.3) - 0 to 4 hours - medium usage (1.0) - 4 to 8 hours - medium usage (0.7) - 8 or more hours - medium usage (0.8) - 0 to 4 hours - heavy usage (0.6) - 4 to 8 hours - heavy usage (0.4) - 8 to 12 hours - heavy usage (0.3) - more than 12 hours heavy usage [Note: Heavy usage is generally what would be found in piano major practice rooms, piano faculty studios, and heavy use recital/rehearsal halls. Medium usage is similar to what would be found in most voice studios. Some discretion must be used for those pianos that get a wide variety of levels of use.] Upright or Grand (1.1) - Upright (0.7) - Grand Standard of Maintenance (0.1) - Top performance: Piano is maintained in meticulous condition at all times: tuning, voicing, and regulation at highest possible standard, with daily or near daily attention; rebuilding and reconditioning on an accelerated schedule so that piano is kept virtually "like new." (Generally concert instruments in recital hall) (0.4) - Near top performance: Piano maintained as above, but with weekly to twice-weekly attention, and somewhat slacker rebuilding schedule. (Generally piano teaching studios and the like. In some situations may apply to concert instruments). (0.7) - Excellent: Piano kept near performance level - well tuned, voiced, and regulated. Weekly to bi-weekly attention. Rebuilding and reconditioning on a regular basis. (1.0) - Very good: Piano kept at an acceptable musical level - tuned, voiced and regulated on a regular basis. Bi-weekly to monthly attention. Reconditioned on a regular basis. (1.3) - Good: Piano kept at an acceptable musical level - tuned, voiced and regulated on a regular basis. Monthly to bi-monthly attention. Reconditioned on a regular basis. (1.8) - Fair: Piano kept at an acceptable musical level - tuning allowed to deteriorate before retuning, voicing and regulation kept at acceptable levels. Once to twice a semester attention. (2.5) - Minimum: piano tuned twice a year; all keys "working." General note with respect to humidity control: Variance in humidity is by far the largest factor in maintaining tuning stability, it affects stability of regulation and voicing, and it has structural effects on the long term integrity of every piano (particularly soundboards and pinblocks). The effect of humidity variance is amplified many-fold in modern institutional environments, due to code requirements for HVAC systems. Modern HVAC systems exchange the entire volume of air in the building many times a day. As a result, air is in constant motion (leading to more rapid movement of moisture between air and wood), and changes in outside humidity are reflected almost instantly within buildings. Hence, the importance of humidity control to the quality of piano service cannot be overemphasized. In all likelihood, the multipliers for "fair" through "very poor" are very conservative, in terms of showing the effect of large scale humidity change on overall tuning quality and general long term need for rebuilding and replacement of instuments. The numbers generated by the workload formula are useful beyond simply producing a "recommended workload" and a recommended staffing level. They can also provide insights into specific needs and long term planning. Each factor (multiplier) will be a number between 0.1 and 2.5. Under the design of this formula, numbers will generally be fairly close to 1.0 for most factors in most average situations. Numbers 1.2 or above, or 0.8 or below, indicate special circumstances that deserve scrutiny. Some examples: 1) Under "climate control," numbers under 0.8 indicate conditions that lead to tuning instability and other deterioration of pianos. Humidity control in the building is strongly encouraged in these cases. Alternately, humidity control systems can be installed in individual pianos. Investment in humidity control is probably the single most cost effective investment in terms of achieving and maintaining high standards. 2) Under "condition" and/or "age," low numbers indicate a need to consider possibly contracting out a fairly large amount of rebuilding/reconditioning work over the short term, and/or investing in new pianos. High numbers in these areas indicate a new inventory, which can be expected to deteriorate over time if plans are not made for regular replacement. In other words, if staffing is based on these numbers, without simulataneously committing to a regular program of replacement, over time the staffing needs will increase and/or quality will suffer. 3) Under "usage" and "acceptable standards," low numbers will generally indicate a conservatory or performance oriented situation, while higher numbers will indicate more of a "general" music department situation. If this is not the case, low numbers may indicate an inadequate inventory, while high numbers may indicate more instruments than are necessary.
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC