dilemma

[Jorgensen, Michael L]

Wim,
     Don't worry Be happy!   This is a good thing.  Work with it!  The department head is helping you by getting you out of a potentially bad situation, (maybe an unsolvable one), so you can focus on your regular work without eating too much time on this.  Fear of outsiders is not appropriate.  Hiring a specialist is only a testimony that our profession is evolving and getting some of the respect it deserves.  All respected professions have specialists, and no one would think of hiring the wrong specialist to do a job.  Truly, someone who does nothing but work on new Steinways with new hammers probably can solve the problem faster and without experimentation. On the flip side, technicians like us are specialists too!  I suspect many "great voicers," "great rebuilders," "specialty experts,"  etc.  would find themselves having to learn and change fast if they came into one of our jobs,  maybe some wouldn't even survive.  I certainly wouldn't go to the chair with reservations and exposing any paranoid fears,  rather thank them for helping you with this.  The 21st century culture of educational institutions loves education and learning, and they wisely distrust arrogant "know it alls" who know everything they will ever know about their professions.  Having a guest will be a fun and informative day or two for you and a chance to grow a new friendship and add a node to your network.   
     The only danger is, you must guide them in choosing an appropriate specialist.  This means they must know all of the possible options./solutions specialists might  want to do which will vary considerably and yield very different results.  Consider also any piano warranty issues.  

-Mike
> ----------
> From: 	Wimblees@aol.com
> Reply To: 	College and University Technicians
> Sent: 	Tuesday, January 13, 2004 7:42 PM
> To: 	caut@ptg.org
> Subject: 	dilemma
> 
> My friends
>  
> I have somewhat of a dilemma. It has to do with the new D. If you recall, I've had two artists complain about the tone of the piano. Now the piano faculty have convinced themselves that they don't like it either and that there is something wrong with the piano. But instead of asking me to fix the problem, they are pursuing the idea of getting a "consultant" in here to work on the piano. I know who they want to get, and I have no problem with this person. This person is highly qualified, and a friend of mine. But here is where I have a dilemma. 
>  
> On the one hand I am saying to myself, hell, let them get the consultant in here to work on the piano. I am sure I will learn a great deal, and we can have a great time working on the piano. On the other hand I feel kind of insulted. I realize I am not the greatest technician, but I think I know my way around a piano. I could certainly understand that if, after I tried my best and they are still not satisfied, that they get someone else in here. But they won't let me do anything.  (Fortunately the piano is not scheduled to be used in a performance this semester.) 
>  
> Have any of you had experience along these lines. Am I being paranoid, or should I just let the consultant come in, and do what it is that they do best, and let it go at that?
>  
> Wim 
> Willem Blees, RPT
> Piano tuner/technician
> School of Music
> University of Alabama
> 
>