Right 'hear'.... -----Original Message----- From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf Of Terry Farrell Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 11:35 PM To: pianotech at ptg.org Subject: Re: [pianotech] 2nd Bad Client in 10+ Years - Seeking Advice Where was the typo? Terry Farrell On Mar 23, 2010, at 10:46 PM, Gerald Groot wrote: > Speaking of Typo's! Man, forgive all of mine! I was whipping > through it > like I usually do and did not do any spell check. Shoulda, woulda, > coulda! > To late! > > -----Original Message----- > From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] > On Behalf > Of Terry Farrell > Sent: Tuesday, March 23, 2010 10:40 PM > To: pianotech at ptg.org > Subject: Re: [pianotech] 2nd Bad Client in 10+ Years - Seeking Advice > >> Here is a prime example for you. > > SNIP > > WOW, the nuclear approach! I'm not sure I'm up to quite that, but food > for thought, no doubt! Thanks for sharing. > > Terry Farrell > > On Mar 23, 2010, at 5:40 PM, Gerald Groot wrote: > >> Hi Terry, >> >> Most if not all piano teachers need education when it comes to piano >> tuning >> and repairing. Some teachers will require more time and knowledgable >> information from you than others. Remember, they are piano players, >> not >> piano technicians. Therefore, they have been taught very little if >> anything >> at all, about the inner workings of the piano and more than likely, >> this has >> never been explained to her before. >> >> Piano owners require just as much time and explanaining. I would >> recommend >> she contact Yamaha's website for starters so see that they recommend >> tuning >> their instruments between 2 and 4 times per year as do all other >> reputable >> piano factories. The fact that she, as a music teacher is apparently >> only >> tuning hers one time per year, she is already way off course. >> >> Next, take some time to set down with her to explain the inner >> workings of >> the piano. How they funtion. What do they do. What happens when >> you do >> this or that a few thousand times? To let her know that you know >> more than >> she does, ask her the name of a few parts like the jack or back >> check or let >> off button? It'll keep her mouth closed longer. Explain things to >> her or >> better yet, ask her if she knows what regulation is? like, what IS >> regulation and how does it affect how my piano will play, feel, >> function >> etc. Explain why some pianos require more work than others and >> thus, more >> expense? Answer: More time involved, some will have more wear and >> tear, >> some are older, some have been sadly neglected requiring more work >> due to >> etc., etc. Work from that angle. >> >> As badly as you might want to tell her to stick it where the sun >> don't shine >> and I have done this on occasion myself, it might be prudent to take >> that >> extra time whether either of you likes it or not and attempt to >> explain it >> to her letting her know in no uncertain terms that YOU are the >> professional >> with the answers. She is not. YOU are the technician, she is NOT. >> This >> can be done with authority and tact and a lot less tact when >> required... >> :-) >> >> Here is a prime example for you. Many years ago, I had a complaint >> on a >> piano that I just tuned from a piano teacher. She said, you just >> tuned my >> piano and it is out of tune. It sounds horrible. It was a Yamaha >> C-7. I >> said, no, it is not out of tune, but, it does need regulation badly >> and the >> voicing is horrible as I have already explained and shown you. No, >> she >> said, I have determined because (then raising her voice to >> me..MISTAKE) >> BECAUSE I AM A MUSICIAN AND I KNOW BETTER THAN THAT! I HAVE A GOOD >> EAR! >> Well, that pissed me off. So, I also raised my voice to her and >> said, LADY, >> HOW MANY PIANOS HAVE YOU TUNED?!!! Ummm, well, none. Exactly! >> I've tuned >> well over 20,000 of them! Now, WHO do YOU suppose is BOUND to know >> MORE >> about PIANOS and tuning, you? OR ME?! Then, I gave her total >> silence. She >> quickly back tracked. So, I went over there, voiced several notes >> to prove >> my point and said, there, how's that? Much better! See, I told you >> it >> needs voicing, I said with a smile, now, next time will you just >> believe me? >> Yes she said, and I would like for you to do the rest of the work >> too. She >> was pleased as punch and showed a lot more respect after that and so >> did I. >> >> >> So, take control of the situation and be the informed boss, leader >> and >> informer would be my advice. >> >> Jer >>
This PTG archive page provided courtesy of Moy Piano Service, LLC