Key Whakker/Thumper...you boys are in trouble!

[Greg Newell]

Terry and list,
    I read this post and stopped at the past where you said your wife just quit
her job and is starting her own business. I'm sure that you've thought a lot
about the medical insurance thing and if I may I'd like to offer some food for
thought. While it goes without saying that it is beneficial to have a spouse
employed full time for the benefits that is no longer the case. I recommend that
you take a long hard look at MSA's (medical savings accounts). I have looked at
many, many plans and switched regularly from one to another only to have them
jack up the rates as soon as you've been on the plan for a short time. The MSA
usually has a high deductible but the way mine is structured half the money goes
into an account that I use towards any misc. medical expenses and or to help
satisfy the deductible. This account is MY money and gains interest. The best
part is that my monthly payment actually dropped from any of the other plans I
was involved in! Take a good look at them and I think you'll agree that it's the
best thing going for self employed people!
    If you like I can also share some things I found out about tax savings too!
    I hope this helps!

Greg

Farrell wrote:

> Robin, I only tune about 15 pianos a week. Yes, I know I am in trouble. I am
> trying to manage it. That's what all the whakker banter is about. I have
> listened to others tune, and I know I don't hit the keys any harder than
> others. I do believe it benefits my tuning stability to hit them firmly, so
> I do. My whakking arm is real sore from my wrist to my elbow. Especially
> around the elbow. It sure feels  like bruised tendons or some such thing. I
> did not have an income for several years before going into piano technology.
> Only now for the first time in 5 years am I producing a measurable (positive
> that is) income. My wife just quit her job to go into business for herself.
> I have wished the bills to stop coming for a couple months, but they don't.
>
> I must tune most every piano that I have the opportunity to tune. There are
> many (well maybe some) folks that smoke cigarettes for 50 years or more and
> do not have any ill health effects. While others smoke for a few years and
> get lung cancer, etc. You know there are numerous other examples, nuff said.
> I don't doubt that there may be some subtle mechanical defect in my finger
> whakking style. I wish I had a pro to tell me what it might be, if that is a
> factor. Crap happens to some folks and not to others. I suggest that you
> simply be thankful to the key whakking gods for your good health. I'm hoping
> that my whakker gives my arm enough rest to heal.
>
> "> Concert Pianists practice 8 hrs and more a day.......How many of them
> > use...... Key Whakker/Thumpers?.....think about it!!"
>
> I don't play. Not too many concert pianists with tendon trouble. Those that
> do have trouble, maybe that's why they are not concert pianists. Besides, I
> never claimed my key whakker sounded very good!  :-)
>
> Terry Farrell
> Piano Tuning & Service
> Tampa, Florida
> mfarrel2@tampabay.rr.com
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Robin Stevens" <pianotun@pirie.gulf.net.au>
> To: "ChatPage" <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Sunday, February 11, 2001 3:01 AM
> Subject: Re: Key Whakker/Thumper...you boys are in trouble!
>
> > List....I have read the diatribe on this extra mechanical devise that many
> > are using to be able to continue to tune pianos, with great
> > concern.
> >
> > If you are experiencing pain in you striking arm it is suggesting that you
> > are either tuning too many pianos a day/week or ....most
> likely....applying
> > a striking blow far in excess of the required downweight needed.
> >
> > I also would like to add that a very big percentage of customers would be
> > horrified when they see you apply this closed fist assault on their prize
> > instrument with a Whakker/thumper etc.
> >
> > Most of these customers would be too polite to say anything, but their
> minds
> > must be in a turmoil over whether they should ask you to be less
> aggressive
> > with their beloved piano.
> >
> > I would suggest that if you are tuning too many pianos a day/week....have
> a
> > break and let the injury heal or.... have a close look at your technique
> and
> > adjust accordingly.
> >
> > I tune 25-30 pianos a week and I hit very hard... but the only injuries I
> > have at the end of the week are tender finger tips.
> >
> > Concert Pianists practice 8 hrs and more a day.......How many of them
> > use...... Key Whakker/Thumpers?.....think about it!!
> >
> > Robin (Aussie)
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >

--
Greg Newell
Greg's Piano Forté
19270 Harlon Ave.
Lakewood, Ohio 44107
216-226-3791
mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net