<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)">  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue> <div class=Section1> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Debbie… I think what you do with children is great. Not only is it a way to have them eventually leave the room, but for that short time, they are exposed to the world of pianos that their friends never see and better yet, you never know what that short experience will lead to… maybe that’s all it will take to spark an interest in pianos, whether it be playing or working on them. Or it may just be the starting point that will lead to something else positive for them.  Special moments for children last a lifetime and influence them in ways we take for granted. I remember special moments in my childhood that I can relate to my interests as an adult. All my life I remember one moment when I was 4 years old when my Mother played the scale from C to C and I can still picture at eye level, the keys and how the sound came out when they went down. That sparked my interest in pianos and music in general. I always let kids get involved... you just have to be in control.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Here’s a great thing to do with younger ones if you have the action pulled on a grand and they are standing there looking in awe; Do the spring test where you catch the hammer on the backcheck and keep it there until you have the kids say a magic word and (releasing pressure on the key as in the test) let the hammer pop up… but only when they say the magic word. It’s great fun and you look like a magician to them! Now you are really in control… and it could be their magic moment!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'>Larry Trischetta<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 color=navy face=Arial><span style='font-size: 10.0pt;font-family:Arial;color:navy'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </span></font></div> <p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Tahoma;font-weight:bold'>From:</span></font></b><font size=2 face=Tahoma><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Tahoma'> pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>On Behalf Of </span></b>Michael Magness<br> <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Sent:</span></b> Monday, February 11, 2008 11:08 AM<br> <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>To:</span></b> Pianotech List<br> <b><span style='font-weight:bold'>Subject:</span></b> Re: Meet the "Lookerson's"</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <p class=MsoNormal style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>On Feb 10, 2008 9:45 PM, <<a href="mailto:pianolady50@peoplepc.com">pianolady50@peoplepc.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> <div bgcolor="#ffffff"> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>When confronted with noisy or curious young children I ask if they would like to help me for a little bit.  I show them what key to play and how hard (loud) to play it while I tune it for them.  They are intrigued and thrilled to help for about three notes.  Then they get bored and leave the room so they won't have to help anymore.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>One such child's father was intimidating just to talk with.  He was a government profiler.  I always felt like I was under a magnifying glass.</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'>Debbie Legg</span></font><o:p></o:p></p> </div> <blockquote style='border:none;border-left:solid black 1.5pt;padding:0in 0in 0in 3.0pt; margin-left:3.4pt;margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:5.0pt'> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt; font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> </blockquote> </div> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'><br> I don't mind those who have a genuine interest, I can go on and on, I enjoy my subject and don't mind educating my customers. I keep a close eye on them for that tell-tale glaze in their eye that tells me they aren't all "that" interested anymore.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>As for the kids that want to watch, I'm concerned about them getting into my tools and perhaps grabbing something sharp, so with mom or dad's help we make a rule that they can watch from the sofa or chair and usually whithin 10 to 15 minutes they're either asleep or wander away.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>I always tell 'em up front that it's just as interesting to watch as watching grass grow or paint dry!<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>I can't recall the last time I was intimidated or irritated at having anyone listen/watch while I tuned as long as they were quiet.<o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> <div> <p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size: 12.0pt'>Mike<br clear=all> <br> -- <br> We have enough youth, how about a fountain of SMART?<br> Michael Magness<br> Magness Piano Service<br> 608-786-4404<br> <a href="http://www.IFixPianos.com">www.IFixPianos.com</a><br> email <a href="mailto:mike@ifixpianos.com">mike@ifixpianos.com</a> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p> </div> </div> </body> </html>