Hi Terry,
I agree with all the replies. I would add some more. Don't rest tools on the piano or bench without a cloth. Depress damper pedal when installing strip mutes. Have clean hands, leave no fingerprints. Don't lean against the piano while tuning or abuse the finish in any way. Check bench bolts and pedals. Time spent should be proportionate to the quality of piano they give you. Find out their goals, is A440 important? If not, check the pitch of all sections before choosing a pitch. (Below 440 is not good, but above could be ok as being new the piano will be down to 440 soon anyway). Do they want to see your best work or what you can do in an hour? Don't fight with tight pins and waste time, nudge them close and again closer on a second pass. Budget a few minutes at the end to play a chromatic scale of all unisons to listen for
any inconsistent ones and fix accordingly. (If they're not tuners, that's likely how they will check it). If they are tuners, find out how they tune and use their style, (strip muting doing unisons last, or finishing unisons as they go). Inexperienced tuners tend to agonize to achieve perfection where perfection can't be achieved so work for consistency of unisons and reasonable temperament. You will need to formulate a time budget plan according to the piano and the goals of the interviewer. Give them what they want. If your a good pianist, play it for them. Be positive about their products. Ordinary salempeople and musicians very rarely know how to tell if a piano is really in tune, and any tuner understands what you're up against with an instrument --so don't worry.
-Mike
pianolover@worldspy.net wrote:
> I have a couple upcoming interviews at Piano dealer's/showrooms, for the position as "Floor tuner/prep" guy, and being a very new Newbie, does anyone have any suggestions as to what TO do and what NOT to do during the interview? I expect to start (I was told) by tuning a piano for them, and then they will "check" my work. 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? Being new, I will undoubtedly be a bit nervous with all or many eyes watching. I realize that this kind of job is a great opportunity to gain experience tuning/regulating lots of pianos, both new and used, so I want to do my best, of course. Maybe those of you that have been/are employed by a Piano dealer can give me some helpful hints and insights into your experience in this area. Thanks!
>
> Terry Peterson
> LA, CA
>
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