SAT and hands

[A440A@aol.com]

Greetings,
Tom Seay asks;

  >How does using an AccuTuner reduce the stress in your hands? Don't you
>still have to do the same number of firm test blows whether tuning
>electronically or aurally?

    Sorry, Tom.  I didn't explain that point,( my mother always said it was
tacky to talk about medical problems !)

     Getting past the need for playing intervals, especially the octave,
became necessary due to tendonitis,( problems either because of arm position,
the ten thousand tunings already done, or my parent's genes, who knows?)  The
machine  allows me to tune by playing  each note with one finger or, (on
really bad days),  a rubber-tipped, carved, balsa-wood "striker".

    The arthritis requires lessening stress to the hand joints themselves.
 The Accutuner tells me of string movement before my ears do.

    This sensitivity allows the strings to be put in position with the least
amount of movement;  if you see  the string go  sharp by .1 cent as you give
the hammer one last wiggle, there is no need to waste a test blow, you  know
that the top string tension must be reduced.  Thus,  "setting the pin", ( I
prefer the idea of "setting the tensions") becomes more of a right-hand thing
for me, than pounding the string with my left.  Test blows are now basically
singular events unless something in the feel of the string and pin calls for
more attention.
     Working carefully, stability is possible with very little brute force,
though I do hit a note hard, once before I leave it.

      I would encourage all tuners to consider the value of warming up arms
and shoulders before work. I am talking about 5 minutes daily.  Tuning is not
only asymetrical, (that can show up in lopsided back development),  but
repetitive.  Getting the tendons and muscles stretched and oxygenated before
subjecting them to this abuse can pay large dividends.

"Tho' not as sharp as I once was, I am not yet flat!"
Ed Foote
Precision Piano Works
Nashville, Tn.