<HTML style="FONT-SIZE: x-small; FONT-FAMILY: MS Sans Serif"><HEAD> <META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1251"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.6000.16587" name=GENERATOR></HEAD> <BODY> <P> <DIV>One of my most memorable tuning experiences took place in a nursing home a couple of decades ago.  While I was tuning a small grand of more years than quality, twenty to thirty residents were milling about or sitting in this larger room.  The tuning probably preempted whatever folks were gathering there for.  Of course some asked what I was doing, but for the most part they ignored me and let me tune.  As normal, I had the lid up to tune.  When I was finally nearly done and tuning the bass, it happened.  A bass string broke at the agraffe and flew out of the piano.  I nearly fell off of the bench to the floor in fright.  The string was propelled straight out from me went about twenty feet away and then hit the wall.  I walked over and picked it up and only then realized: nobody there but me noticed the flying string.  Since that time I am very aware and cautious when anyone stands at the end of the piano while I am tuning.  I do ask them to move now.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Bruce Dornfeld, RPT</DIV> <DIV><A href="mailto:bdornfeld@earthlink.net">bdornfeld@earthlink.net</A></DIV> <DIV>North Shore Chapter, Illinois</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <P></P></BODY></HTML>