William & all, I don't think the average home customer who "plays just for themselves" is interested in their piano technician being a great piano artist (like the mechanic who also drives the races). But, they would like to know the their technician plays at least well enough to be discerning about the performance and sound of the piano (the mechanic can at least start the car and drive it well enough to know if it is performing properly). I play professionally as a pop and jazz musician. The number(s) I play after a tuning are chosen based upon my impression of the kind of music the customer would like to hear. Although I prefer to play classical music for my relaxation and enjoyment. How could I possibly know that the stretch I put into the tuning actually makes the piano sound better if I don't play it - or at least someone plays it. I wouldn't think of taking my car to a mechanic who could only start the engine and say "yup, sounds good to me". I expect the mechanic to take the car for a drive too. Del Gittinger, RPT Registered Piano Technician of the Piano Technicians Guild delgit@acc-net.com Marion, Ohio
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