[CAUT] Fw: liszt

[G Cousins]

Paul,
Dittos on all comments thus far. 

My additions: Damper quietness (on and off) Clicks, pops, ticks,taps, Check the bench tightness, Lyre, leg locks, creaks. Wipe off any fingerprints off the case. Clean off the keytops.

 

Besides the Voodoo, keep a supply of mummy dust handy. Many times the artist just needs reassurance that all's well with the piano. Keep in mind that you really really know your stuff and they sometimes need subtle reminders like seeing you at the piano. 

 

Program seems to have some a fair amount of brakes throughout the days. I concur that pre-prep of the piano(s) and rock solid set ups should prove beneficial with appropriate touch up times. To add to the stability try to have the stage set up with lighting on whenever setting up. Pound in those unisons

 

Don't know your arrangements with the U but.... overtime/comptime/extra $$ is always overlooked by everyone not directly associated with the piano maintenance and/or needs.   It may be (IMHO is) appropriate to discuss (negotiate) the your working terms and associated needs,fees,etc. Otherwise you will work 10,000 hours with only satisfaction of knowing YOU did a great job.  In the end they'll be happy to tell you if something screws up. Such is the cross we bear.

 

Hang in there, don't stress, do your best (which, I'm certain you will) they'll have no complaints!

 

Good planning leads to good success.  


Huzzah!

Gerry Cousins,WCUPA

 

BTW: What piano (s) will they be playing? One of the old Kimballs?

 






From: jim_busby at byu.edu
To: caut at ptg.org
Date: Thu, 22 Oct 2009 12:21:52 -0600
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Fw: liszt






Hi Paul,
 
These events can be stressful, but make sure you think through all the “what if’s”. Here’s a few that have helped me in similar situations; make sure you have several benches available. Have your stringing kit available and know good methods to stabilize strings (Mannino gives great advice here) , and even better, have an alternate piano in the wings, if possible. Funny, but have voicing tools on hand to at least look like you have strong voodoo <G>, but you may be asked to do some very quick work on a note that “sticks out” for someone. Have your “squeak fixes” handy.  1. Unisons 2. Squeaks 3. Broken strings, 4. Quick voicings and 5. Bench are the only things that I’ve been pressed to deal with in these high energy situations. You probably have already thought of all these, but that’s my short list. Good luck, and don’t forget to smile!
 
Best,
Jim Busby BYU
 


From: caut-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Fred Sturm
Sent: Thursday, October 22, 2009 10:41 AM
To: caut at ptg.org
Subject: Re: [CAUT] Fw: liszt
 


On Oct 22, 2009, at 9:25 AM, Paul T Williams wrote:



Hi all, 

Has anyone out there dealt with a HUGE piano festival as you can check out on the first attachment. (I don't know why Dr. Barnes put his signature on here!).  It doesn't look physically doable to keep the piano in wonderful tune, and would love some advise on how to handle so many piano pieces in such a short amount of time. 

Thanks 
Paul 

 
            Quite a star-studded affair! Some great music and great musicians. Yes, it looks like a challenge, but in fact it looks easier than a competition, since there are gaps within the day and they don't start all that early. Often a competition piano is used without break from 8 am to 8 pm or the like. 

            I guess my best advice is first to just do your best and accept the results. That's life as a concert tech, and that's part of what all cauts are. You have to develop a thick enough skin to accept that you aren't perfect. But second, I'd try to get blocks of time secured ahead of time (schedule them now) in the hall, and try to make them as firm as possible (realizing that they won't be entirely firm, that there will have to be some give). And third, just nail the unisons. Nail them solid. Forget other considerations for the most part. Have the piano(s) set up well at the beginning, and then just deal with unison creep, which shouldn't require more than 15-30 minutes a piano if you are focused and have a nice fairly silent hall.

            Good luck! And try to have some fun and enjoy the music.





Regards,

Fred Sturm

University of New Mexico

fssturm at unm.edu

 
 
 
 
  		 	   		  
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