[pianotech] shorter final tuning time with pitch raises; forearm smash

[tnrwim at aol.com]

(Slightly different subject):  Just tuned a Steinway 'B' a 
ew hours ago.  It was right at pitch when I arrived.  Still 
ook me an hour and 45 min, which is better than the two hours I 
ften spend.  Was trying to do an extra-good job since the 
ianist was quite accomplished and was going to use it for a 
ecording.  Wanted to sock it in pretty good for him and I used 
airly heavy test blows but just couldn't bring myself to use 
he forearm smash in the home and with the owners there.  (What 
o you say:   "Bear with me for a few seconds here, folks"?  or 
This hurts me more than it does the piano."?  or  "Trust me on 
his one." or just "Cover your ears for a sec ..." or "Here's my 
atest number --it's called "Train Wreck."? or what?)
       --David Nereson, RPT 

David

You don't necessarily need to "sock" it to the piano to make it stay in tune. Yes, a couple of test blows on each note is important, but you don't need to use a forearm smack, either.  I wonder if perhaps the reason you're taking so much time on a piano is because while you're trying hard to listen, you don't know what to do with what you hear.  Hearing a note out of tune is one thing. But knowing what to do with that note is another. 

Can you explain how you tune a piano. I mean, what are the steps you take to tune, from temperament, to bass and treble tuning. Perhaps we can offer you some advice to help you cut down your time. 

Wim
 





-----Original Message-----
From: David Nereson <da88ve at gmail.com>
To: pianotech <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Tue, Nov 2, 2010 5:20 pm
Subject: [pianotech] shorter final tuning time with pitch raises; forearm smash



---- Original Message ----- 
rom: "Terry Farrell" <mfarrel2 at tampabay.rr.com>
 > . . . . . . the difference between a piano
 that doesn't need a pitch adjustment prior to tuning, and one 
 that  just had a pitch adjustment done and is ready to tune - 
 they should be  pretty much the same. >>
    You're right; they should be.  But for some reason (for me, 
nyhow,) the final tuning doesn't take as long after a pitch 
aise.  There are exceptions, of course-- any piano with 
xceptionally tight pins, such as brand-new ones, Baldwins; and 
he "razor's-edge tolerance" pianos, and pianos in which the 
trings just don't render easily.
    (Slightly different subject):  Just tuned a Steinway 'B' a 
ew hours ago.  It was right at pitch when I arrived.  Still 
ook me an hour and 45 min, which is better than the two hours I 
ften spend.  Was trying to do an extra-good job since the 
ianist was quite accomplished and was going to use it for a 
ecording.  Wanted to sock it in pretty good for him and I used 
airly heavy test blows but just couldn't bring myself to use 
he forearm smash in the home and with the owners there.  (What 
o you say:   "Bear with me for a few seconds here, folks"?  or 
This hurts me more than it does the piano."?  or  "Trust me on 
his one." or just "Cover your ears for a sec ..." or "Here's my 
atest number --it's called "Train Wreck."? or what?)
       --David Nereson, RPT 


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