pitch raise

[Otto Keyes]

Just a quick follow-up here.  I do a lot of  pitch raise/lowerings as well.
It goes with the job in a full-time university setting.  In the real world I
charge a bit more for that service, particularly if the piano has been
neglected for a long time -- call it penalty points, if you will.  It
probably works out about the same as the method Mark uses.  Mark's method
may be a good approach to take in your situation, but discuss it with the
powers-that-be so everybody is on the same page.  My basic point is that
nobody likes surprises, especially of a $$ nature when you're an admin type
in the current fiscal climate.  However, they do need to know from you that
there are situations that require some flexibility, so educate/recruit your
faculty.

I agree with Mike that a good pitch raise should be quite stable.  If your
first pass is calculated right (aural or whatever method you use), then your
fine tuning should be just what its name implies, & should hold for a
reasonable length of time.  The vagaries of weather & associated ills will
play hob with any tuning, no matter how stable, or what pitch it's at.  Not
making any assumptions here, but just a general observation, IMHO good aural
skills and solid tuning technique are the foundation of a good stable
tuning, no matter what other gizmos we use for aides (& I use them too).

By the way, -16 cents is not a huge jump.  Just ask Mike or Mark about the
swings they get.  Out here we are on the dry side of the spectrum, but I
suspect the stability is similar to your area (in "normal" weather
patterns).

Otto

----- Original Message -----
From: "Jorgensen, Michael L" <jorge1ml@cmich.edu>
To: "College and University Technicians" <caut@ptg.org>
Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 7:48 AM
Subject: RE: pitch raise


> Hi Caroline,
>      I include pitch raise as part of my basic fee since about 95% pianos
require it in my part of the world.  I don't care if the pitch raise is a
little or a lot as long as it isn't more than about a semitone and as long
as the pianos strings are in good condition.
>      IMHO a pitch raised piano can be just as stable as a very close one
and not need a second tuning.    I think of pitch raising like "tuning pin
setting" except in this case I'm "setting the piano". to counter any
tendency for board, beams, plate etc. to settle.   I go well above pitch
judiciously which makes the second pass wish to go slightly sharp which is
good and will counteract any tendency to flatten.   I don't believe in
leaving a piano at any other pitch than 440 for universities.
> -Mike Jorgensen
> Central Michigan University School of Music
>
> > ----------
> > From: Caroline Hull
> > Reply To: College and University Technicians
> > Sent: Wednesday, February 5, 2003 1:44 AM
> > To: caut@ptg.org
> > Subject: pitch raise
> >
> > At the university where I provide service for fee work, I have just
started my round of tunings for the upcoming second semester.  I am finding
the pitch has dropped an unusual amount since the last tuning.  For all but
the recital hall pianos, the school asks me to tune once at the beginning of
the first semester and again at the beginning of the second.   The pitch on
many of them so far has been close to -16 cents.  (I think the real cold
weather we had recently may be the culprit, with heating units running more
and drying things out more.)
> >
> > Of course this requires at least two full passes and will need a follow
up tuning (which may not be in the budget and therefore may not happen).  I
always do two passes anyway even for just a few cents pitch change but this
seems more extreme.   How do other service for fee techs handle the charges
on pitch raise situations like this.  For my private customers I charge an
extra amount for pitch raises of this nature.
> >
> > Bob Hull, RPT
> >
> > Technician for Union University
> >
> > Jackson, TN
> >
> >
> >
> >   _____
> >
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