lesson learned

[Mark Graham]

Les,

Not in the least being critical, just my own way of doing it. First of
all, how low was it? We all have different standards for what constitutes
a pitch raise. I will admit that for me, it varies, but it sounds like
this was definitely a pitch raise.

Nevertheless, after the tuning it should have sounded good, though maybe
some of the treble would have slipped. I would have tried like anything to
go back and fix the offending notes for the family, if they were located
in a place I could get to. I know -- you're technically right. But if a
piano sounds bad to a comparatively ignorant customer, it's probably
something major, and probably also easy to fix. (I wonder from the man's
description if there aren't three majorly loose pins, as opposed to pitch
raise problems.) I just do it, and keep good will.

Nowadays, I make it a point to explain pitch raises when I set up the
appointment, not when I arrive. If somebody asks how much a tuning is,
my memorized answer is $70 plus tax for a NORMAL tuning, $100 plus tax for
a pitch raise. I know others charge more, which is fine with me. It isn't
that much extra work for me any more. By the way, I'm strictly an aural
tuner.

Mark Graham
Cleveland, Ohio