"Old School Teachings"

[Bigeartb@AOL.COM]

Hazen:
     I raise the pitch on the first pass with a jerking motion raising the 
pitch a few waves above the pitch . This is determined by how low the piano 
is below A440. I am not concerned about the true, perfect pitch. In other 
words , I'm shooting fast for a "leaner" rather than a 
"ringer".....(horseshoes)  On the second pass, I shoot for perfection. I mute 
the entire tenor and treble section and set the temperment, and tune all 
octaves in the treble. Then I tune the lower tenor octaves and entire bass 
section. Finally, I begin rechecking the higher octaves and tuning the 
unisons to each note. I recheck each note in the higher octave as I move 
upwards. I finish up tuning the unisons in the lower tenor and mid section. 
Hazen, it sounds real, real good and it don't take long. Of course when 
you're hot , you're hot. I must say I must mentally be in the 
"zone"....completely focused on tuning since I tune by ear. I have learned, 
sometimes I may need to tune one piano before can get into the "zone". I 
believe it may the the same concentration as athletes achieve. However, I 
must say I have never, ever gotten into the "zone" in my golf game.....only 
my tuning. I know you ain't gonna believe this but on many, many notes on the 
Grand tuning today, they settled exactly perfect. I only had to tune them one 
time....Real luck. Doesn't happen often....ain't that good.

Tommy Black
Decatur, Ala.