Hi Terry, This can be tricky, but when I'm faced with this situation and am asked by the owner about the piano (quite often), I mention (with a serious look on my usually happy face) that there are false beats etc etc, and that the piano isn't any longer capable of as fine a tuning as it might once have been. I then suggest it may not standup to the expectations of a serious musician. Best to be forth-right and honest. Most people welcome an honest appraisal, politely offered BUT only when asked! I'm always amazed at what clients recall they've been told by myself or other tuners about their piano. People do remember certain instructions and comments so we should be mindful of what we say. An older (now retired) local tuner would politely mention to clients of older sub-standard instruments when requesting a tuning, "We'll see if we can get one more tuning into it for you" meaning he was giving himself a way out for next time and "telling" the client the piano was near the end of it's useful life. Whatever we say it must be true, kind and helpful or we'll invariably trip ourselves up next time. This certainly assists in gaining the respect of our clients. This may or may-not be of use in your situation though, Regards, Graeme Harvey New Plymouth New Zealand Terry wrote...... I tune many older, low quality pianos that have a lot of noise, false beats, etc. in them. Put a good tuning on 'em and they still sound quite a bit less than stellar. I tuned a 1974 Sorry & Cluck console today. One of the worst I have met in terms of noise (in that you cannot get a clean unison), and false beats (top two octaves are trashed). It was 30 cents flat in bass and up to 100 cents flat in high-treble. Raised pitch, & tuned. Then the lady tells me that in a week or so some friend of hers is coming to visit. This lady is reported to be a very advanced pianist. The guest will be playing the piano - that is why the once-every-20-years tuning. Now surely anyone that is a good pianist will sit down to play this thing for about a minute, and then say to the owner "Eleanor, I thought you said you just had this piano tuned?" Like, I'm tuning this thing and thinking that this lady will call me in two weeks and want me to "tune it right this time". I know it is best to not say anything about the lousy pianos to owners - and I don't. But, boy, in a case like this I really want to tell her to not expect much - her piano sounds better - but it still sounds like......well, you know. Any suggestions? IT'S NOT MY FAULT YOU HAVE A BAD PIANO, LADY! Terry Farrell
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