tuning (mute methods and deebees)

[Michael Magness]

On Wed, Mar 19, 2008 at 8:37 PM, Willem Blees <wimblees at aol.com> wrote:

> Holly
>
> In regard to the one (or two) mute tuning method. Any time you learn
> something new, it is going to take some time. The question you have to ask
> is, is it worth the extra time to learn the new method? Since the general
> consensus seems to be that the unisons as you go method gives a more stable
> tuning, I would suggest you take the time. But the customer doesn't have to
> know you are learning a new method. As long as you're charging the same
> amount for your tuning, all he/she cares about is the final result, whether
> it took you an hour or two hours.  So go for it.
>
> How long will it take? That depends on how quickly you learn. It took me
> about three or four tunings to get the hang of it. But what's interesting,
> is that now that I'm using this method, it is actually taking me longer to
> tune a piano than before. Mostly because I am taking longer on the unions,
> because I'm hearing them much better.
>
> Willem (Wim) Blees, RPT
> Piano Tuner/Technician
> Honolulu, HI
> Author of
> The Business of Piano Tuning
> available from Potter Press
> www.pianotuning.com
>
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: holly quigley <hollyquigley at gmail.com>
> To: pianotech at ptg.org
> Sent: Wed, 19 Mar 2008 10:15 am
> Subject: tuning (mute methods and deebees)
>
>  (Figured I'd put it under one heading instead of a third post)
>
> Regarding you more experienced tuners and your one-mute method - about how
> long did it take you to transition from strip muting to unisons-as-you-go?
> What I mean is, how much time in practice did it take to get your time down
> and result in a clean enough tuning to do unisons-as-you-go in the field on
> a paid basis? Does my question make sense? I know in theory, if you're
> capable of producing a clean and stable tuning using other methods, there
> shouldn't be much of a transition time, but still. I've fiddled with tuning
> with one mute (I mean aurally here - I use one mute all the time when tuning
> with an ETD), and it takes me longer because I'm used to the sound of
> intervals and octaves in single-string format. I don't get to practice it
> all the time though, because I gotta work. It's like the fact that I
> wouldn't go out and start putting Stein-way style tunings on pianos without
> having practiced and refined the technique on my own. People shouldn't have
> to pay extra (time or mo! ney) for the technician's learning
> experience/practice-time.
>
> Also, regarding deebees (the EAR protection thread). Would it make sense
> to think about it this way: the piano is an instrument designed to be heard
> clearly and appreciated at a distance. Which means even at "normal" playing
> levels, it still has to be loud enough to project out to an audience (not
> bringing in the topic of hall acoustics, etc.). Which means of course
> there's a lot of volume right at the piano. In a perfect world, even piano
> players would wear ear protection, just as much as drummers (should) wear
> ear protection. Not saying those two instruments are of the same hearing
> damage level, but they can produce damage. I've been able to hear just fine
> when wearing ear plugs and tuning, so why not take the extra precaution
> anyway? For me, though, it's just a matter of getting into the habit. This
> should be a good reason to!
>
> Regarding whether or not a person is striking the notes too hard when
> tuning, though - I do know that a certain piano manufacturer's head tech has
> informed tuners time and again that particularly with new grands, it helps
> when tuning them to strike the notes, HARD, to ensure stability at first.
> Particularly in the capo bar areas. Which is where the sound gets more
> painful. This as a response to "the piano is defective because it won't
> holds its tune" reports. I know everyone tunes differently, and it'd be a
> shame to turn a thread on the importance of protecting our most important
> tool into an argument on hard or soft hitters. Sometimes depending on the
> piano, though, one technique is better than another to use, maybe?
>
> cheers,
> Holly Quigley
> (just an associate member)
>
>  ------------------------------
> Planning your summer road trip? Check out AOL Travel Guides<http://travel.aol.com/travel-guide/united-states?ncid=aoltrv00030000000015>
> .
>

Hi Holly,

I'm also an associate, albeit with 38 years of  being a tech under my belt,
I came to the guild late!
I will only comment on setting the string/striking the note. I was taught
and it's been reiterated by several RPT's over the years, that pounding your
tunings in is the key to repeat business. It has been further said to me and
I firmly believe as long as you aren't breaking keys, you aren't pounding to
hard.

The simple explanation using a vertical piano. When you turn the tuning pin
you create more tension from the pin to the capo bar than there is from the
capo to the the v-mound of the plate. Thirdly there is less tension still
from there over the speaking length to the first bridge pin, then less still
across the bridge, then even less from the lower bridge pin to the hitch
pin. So we have unequal tension over 4 friction points. How do we equalize
it? By striking the note/key hard and allowing the string to vibrate past
those friction points thereby equalizing tension. If we tuned the note the
appropriate amount sharp it will drop into tune/pitch. If not it will go
flat and we can try again. If we took it too sharp, we can strike it a few
more times and see if we get lucky. Ultimately you have a learning curve for
almost every piano you do, depending on site, humidity, how flat or sharp it
is, age of the piano and several other factors. That's why we get the big
bucks!! <grin>

Always remember, in the eyes/ears of the customer, you're only as good as
your last tuning!

Mike


-- 
The greatest challenge to any thinker is stating the problem in a way that
will allow a solution.
- Bertrand Russell

Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com
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