pitch raise

[Isaac OLEG]

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The school piano I service (from 2 times/year to 3 or 4 tunings depending of
the place/instrument, plus other minor adjustments), are regularly pitched
438 Hz in winter for December and January, then they come back to 440 42 in
the following months. Apart of performance instruments, I don't care anymore
to maintain a pitch then, as it will be more near to 445 when in the summer
days, and I float the pitch, leaving no more than 6 hz low, but I bring all
these people back to 442 (standard pitch there) as soon as the spring
tunings are done.

That gives me 2 passes tuning more often than not but I can count on a low
but stable instrument in the winter generally (sure extreme bass and treble
are less moving but it is ok, as long as the tuning is not too much
stretched in the extremes, the instruments goes from an under-stretched
tuning in winter to a low stretch tuning the remaining.

Some tune always in pure fifths (high stretch) and that leave more margin,
but for some reason I am not found of that tone when it moves width seasonal
changes...

Best Regards.

Isaac OLEG.



Isaac OLEG

Entertain et réparation de pianos.

PianoTech
17 rue de Choisy
94400 VITRY sur SEINE
FRANCE
tel : 033 01 47 18 06 98
fax : 033 01 47 18 06 90
cell: 06 60 42 58 77

  -----Message d'origine-----
  De : caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org]De la part de Lance
Lafargue
  Envoyé : samedi 8 février 2003 15:38
  À : 'College and University Technicians'
  Objet : RE: pitch raise


  I agree w/you Otto.  I got calls 3 weeks ago from frantic people (when it
was VERY cold, RH %30's) and now it has warmed up a bit (RH 50%) and the
pianos are only 2-4 cents flat and the customers say it improved a lot over
the 3 weeks.  I have several customers with Dampp-Chaser dehumidifiers (w/o
the humidifiers) and the pianos only go way out if it gets very cold/dry(way
below 42%), which is rare here.  I have been tuning pianos about 4 cts flat
here if already flat because of our high RH most of the year.  I think the
consensus has been to hover them around 440 anticipating the swing.  16cts
flat is a lot, though, so either way, the piano will probably be out in the
spring.
  Lance Lafargue, RPT
  Mandeville, LA
  New Orleans Chapter, PTG
  lancelafargue@bellsouth.net
  985.72P.IANO


    -----Original Message-----
    From: caut-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:caut-bounces@ptg.org]On Behalf Of
Otto Keyes
    Sent: Wednesday, February 05, 2003 9:13 AM
    To: College and University Technicians
    Subject: Re: pitch raise


    Bob,

    Not to open a can of worms on this list again, but the weather you have
recently had has been unusual for your neck of the woods.  Which is to say
that it will probably revert to normal soon.  If you measure the average
pitch across the piano, you will probably find it is much closer than -16
cents.  Particularly in the practice rooms, and under the abnormal
conditions you've been experiencing, I'd let the pitch float just a bit.
Otherwise, 2-4 weeks down the road when "normal" temp/humidity levels
return, you'll be in the same boat on the other side of the scale.
Everybody will be howling for tunings, no budget will be left, the admin.
will not be happy, & you may end up being the fall guy.  Studio & concert
instruments are another story.  I'd talk to the dean, piano faculty, whoever
seems to be most level-headed of the powers that be, explain the situation &
make them part of the decision.  If they own the decision, they'll be much
more likely to live with it in contentment, or at least not take it out on
you.

    Otto Keyes
    piano tech - U of Idaho



    ----- Original Message -----
      From: Caroline Hull
      To: caut@ptg.org
      Sent: Tuesday, February 04, 2003 10:44 PM
      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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