tuners who play

[CHRIS GREGG]

Adding credibility to our work by taking the piano for a test drive is only
one reason for doing that.  Playing some chords is going to set the
soundboard into motion, so that if anything is going to move, now is a good
chance for it to do so.   A test run to me means that I play in as many keys
as possible, to make sure that all notes and all intervals are heard.   It
is amazing how adept we can become at picking out things that we do not hear
with our regular interval checks.  Also, we get to experience the voicing
(that I hope we have just finished doing)  and try the notes at different
volumes.  I do not have the dexterity of a concert pianist, but if there is
a regulation problem, I want to give myself the best possible chance of
detecting it.
        At the same time it is possible to play something that is
appropriate.   I have a number of different routines depending on the type
of instrument, location, taste of the customer and my mood.  The pianos that
I cannot stop playing are usually the the ones that have been the most
satisfying to work on.
 My test drive is not so much to entertain the customer or to show off my
prowess at a pianist, but it is for me to see if I can improve on the work
that I have done.
        I had the transmission in my car repaired a while ago.  The mechanic
took it for a test drive. I went with him.  He did not say much.  He just
listened to the changes and tried a variety of driving techniques. If
something was going to show up, now was the time for it to do so.
        Yes I do think there is value in playing the instrument after we
have worked on it.


Chris Gregg  RPT