[CAUT] Water/Alcohol on Yamaha Hammers

[Barbara Richmond]

I agree with Jim. The current, real time problem is the political situation,
the over-all problem is inadequate funding for maintenance.  I don't know
what is the best course of action for you to take regarding the latter, but
I can tell you what I did when I was hired at Illinois Wesleyan
University--I started writing reports.  Every year for five years I wrote
reports, recommendations, justifications.  Finally the fifth year, the
position (90 instruments) was made full time and they had even accepted a
schedule for rebuilding and replacing pianos.  (Then, of course, my husband
accepted a job in Texas...)

I wrote and wrote, but it was when I got down to saying exactly (in numbers)
what I could accomplish each week in 10-12 hours (my contract) and showed
what wasn't being done, the message got through.  I used the university
fleet of cars as a <sort> of analogy (cars need more than gas--pianos need
more than tuning) and I used the College and University Guidelines--though
the head of the school of music was suspect of it, because it was compiled
by technicians who were anxious to line their own pockets.  Ugh, it never
occurred to him that there are folks out there that might want to do a good
job...  Fortunately, it was the university administration that saw the
light.

Best,

Barbara Richmond, RPT


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "James Ellis" <claviers@nxs.net>
To: <caut@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2006 9:23 AM
Subject: [CAUT] Water/Alcohol on Yamaha Hammers


> Jeff (and List),
>
> I have read the most recent posts re your situation with the Yamaha CFIII,
> water/alcohol, the other technician, the faculty, etc.  Your problem is
> NOT
> the piano, the hammers, water, or alcohol; it's the political situation.
> One person on this list suggested you send them copies of all these
> e-mails.  NO!!My suggestion is that your do NOT do that.  I think that's a
> sure way to antagonize them.  If they ask your opinion, tell then, and by
> all means tell them what Yamaha recommends.  After all, Yamaha did make
> the
> piano.  But because of the politics, do NOT put yourself in the middle.
> That would be a NO-win situation for you.  The best you can do here is to
> make sure that it's a NO-lose situation for you.  If they are bound to
> screw it up, then let them, but let them do it with the understanding that
> you do NOT recommend it.  Beyond that, just stand back.  Your position and
> reputation is worth far more than a set of Yamaha hammers.
>
> Sincerely, Jim Ellis
>
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