Roxxane is quite a girl. At first she seemed disinterested as I disassembled the piano to prepare for tuning. Then I opened the tool case. She sat upright in the chair and peered into the box with amazement. I pulled out the SAT II and set it on the piano. As I unwound the foot pedal cord her eyes grew large in wonder. Each time I reached into the case to pull out something new her eyes would follow my every movement. I stuffed the mute strip into the piano. This would be a rather unremarkable act for most but unbelievable for Roxxane. I carefully placed the tuning hammer on a tuning pin and turned on the SAT. Wow, lights! Now that's excitement! Roxanne starred at them round and round. As I began my tuning she looked at the hammers moving up and down and watched as I moved the tuning hammer. This was just too much excitement for a little girl to handle, she HAD to get a closer look! I was startled as Roxxane suddenly jumped up with a soft thud and starred down into the action. I paused for a moment to evaluate the situation but after deciding that no harm was being done I allowed her to stay and continued my with work. She crouched ever closer to see the hammers move and to watch me pull out the mute strip as I moved up the scale. Soon I found myself unable to see the tuning pins because of Roxanne! "Roxxane, could I get you to watch from a little further away? How about over here." I provided her with a new vantage point which satisfied her for all of about two minutes. Again I found myself trying to maneuver around the piano. Now I'll admit I'm an old softy and I don't mind Roxxane, but I have never in my many years in this business seen anything like this! She seemed determined to learn everything there was to know about piano tuning and wanted to examine all of my tools in detail. I had to draw the line however and touching and playing with the action. Hammers and action parts are not designed for little teeth! When I finished I politely petted Roxxane, the 1 year old black kitty, and bid her good-bye! Rob Goodale, RPT Las Vegas, NV
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