floor tuning job...

[Farrell]

Bill Bremmer writes: "> If you approach the tuning as a two step process,
the rough tuning followed
> by the fine tuning, always keeping a pace through both but particularly
> through the rough, you will end up with a tuning in about an hour which
will
> qualify in their minds."

I agree with most all that has been suggested in this thread. I fear that
many of  the authors have too many years between today and when they started
though. I have been tuning for two years now and just recently did my very
first tuning in less than 1 hour (58 minutes). Even still most tunings take
me about an hour and 15 minutes. I think most newbies should not get
discouraged if even their first floor tunings take two hours (maybe more?) I
just recently got my pitch raises down to 30 minutes regularly. For a long
time it took me 45 minutes just to do a pitch raise! Maybe I'm just slow. I
know I will continue to improve my speed. But it doesn't happen right away.
Don't sacrifice quality. Just my thoughts....

Terry Farrell
Piano Tuning & Service
Tampa, Florida
mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com

----- Original Message -----
From: <Billbrpt@AOL.COM>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Thursday, February 10, 2000 12:32 AM
Subject: Re: floor tuning job...


> In a message dated 2/9/00 6:04:22 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> pianolover@worldspy.net writes:
>
> << Should I simply go at my own pace, and take as much time as I need, or
> should I  go through the process as quickly as possible?  >>
>
> A really excellent response was given by Brian.  My reaction to the above
> question is to try to find some middle ground.  Go in with a positive
> attitude and full of energy to work having confidence in your ability.  I
> would try to limit this tuning to 1 hour.  All it takes to shave time off
of
> your total time is concentration.  Keep your eye on what you are doing, on
> the *next* tuning pin, keep the flow of your work steady.
>
> Brian's perspective is interesting.  I remember being so frustrated in my
> early years with people who would tell me "Just tune it". With the typical
> Wisconsin accent, it sounded like, "Justoonit".  I heard that over and
over
> when I tried to suggest that other work besides tuning be done.  My guess
is
> that the people who want to evaluate you will only want to judge your
tuning
> skills.  But as Brian suggests, make sure you have an idea what *these*
> people want to see.
>
> If you approach the tuning as a two step process, the rough tuning
followed
> by the fine tuning, always keeping a pace through both but particularly
> through the rough, you will end up with a tuning in about an hour which
will
> qualify in their minds.  Think in terms of a tuning taking about an hour
and
> the amount you need to earn for that time period.
>
> If a piano needs other prep work, try to find out if the dealer expects
you
> to do it all without charging any more than for a tuning alone.  This can
be
> a big sticking point.
> It will depend on the kind of dealer you are working for and the kind of
> pianos you will be servicing.  Chances are, that as a person new to the
> profession, they will want you to work on the more common types of pianos.
> You may end up working a lot for a very small fee but it may still be a
good
> experience and remain profitable to you.
>
> This is the kind of business where you are a free lance, independent
> contractor for the kind of services you provide.  The arrangement you make
> with your employers can be very informal and can change over time.  The
more
> that they trust your abilities, the more they will seek your services.
>
> Good luck,
>
> Bill Bremmer RPT
> Madison, Wisconsin
>