analogies for pitch raising

[Jim Coleman, Sr.]

Hi, This is my simple but brief proposition:

Mrs Jones, This piano at some point missed some tunings. It's tension
level is quite low. In order for it to take a good fine tuning, it will
be necessary to re-establish the correct tension level. The extra charge
for this is blah -blah. If you are not prepared for that, I can tune it
at the tension level where it is; it will be in tune with itself, but it
just won't be in tune with the rest of the world. 

In most every case the response is: Oh, we want it done right.

Jim Coleman, Sr.

PS If according to my judgment, there is danger of string breakage, I
may not suggest the pitch raise. I have only denied pitch raising about
twice in a year. JWC

On Thu, 12 Aug 1999, Z! Reinhardt wrote:

> Analogies -- sometimes the only way to reach the thinking abilities of
> customers.
> 
> Here in car-country, I've had to come up with a bunch of them to explain
> piano service as if I am servicing their cars.
> 
> Action regulation = working on steering and suspension, alignment
> Tuning = tune-up ... 
> Dampers = brakes
> 
> ->There's no point having an engine that runs beautifully if the car can't
> go anywhere because of problems in the other systems.
> 
> But to some people, pianos are like pets, very much members of the family,
> occupying prime space in the living room.
> 
> Pitch raise and tuning = Obedience training (how it wants to go back to its
> comfort zone)
> Aligning action parts = Orthodontistry
> Regulation = chiropractic
> Voicing = accupuncture (and sometimes chemotherapy)
> Dealer courtesy call = well-baby check up
> 
> Oh yes, I've had some pianos try to throw me off the bench, others
> patiently waiting for case parts stroking, and so on.
> 
> Just my .02 deviation
> 
> Z! Reinhardt RPT
> Ann Arbor  MI
> diskladame@provide.net
> 
> ----------
> From: John M. Formsma <jformsma@dixie-net.com>
> To: PianoTech <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Subject: analogies
> Date: Thursday, August 12, 1999 7:38 AM
> 
> Hi List,
> 
> I like to use analogies so that the customer will better understand what
> needs to be done to his piano.  For instance, when considering the effects
> of a pitch raise on a piano, the customer usually does not care about the
> force exerted by a soundboard and the force exerted by the strings causing
> the piano to be somewhat unstable after a pitch raise and tuning.  In the
> past, I have explained it scientifically only to see the eyes glaze over as
> they nod in feigned agreement---saying "Whatever you think needs to be
> done."  :-)  For that reason, analogies at the customer's level of
> understanding are helpful.
> 
> Here are a couple of analogies that I have thought that might help explain
> why a piano goes out of tune faster after a pitch raise, and why a pitch
> raise is necessary before fine tuning at A-440.  I don't know if the
> average
> 25-cent flat customer understands why a piano needs to be reasonably well
> in
> tune to be fine tuned.
> 
> 1.  If you stretch a rubber band, it's tendency is to return to its
> unstretched state, which is similar to what will happen when we "stretch"
> these strings to a higher tension.
> 
> 2.  A piano needs to be in good tune to be fine tuned.  It is like washing
> and waxing a car.   You wouldn't try to wax the car before washing it, but
> you wash the car first, then wax it to give it that brilliant shine.
> Similarly, the piano has to be at pitch first before it can have that
> "brilliant" sound.
> 
> What do you think of these analogies?  I have used the first, but not the
> second.  Also, what have you found useful in explaining these and similar
> concepts to your customers.
> 
> Ever the curious one,
> 
> John Formsma
> 
> 
>