to A442 & back(D)

[Nichols]

At 08:31 AM 5/4/02 -0700, you wrote:
>David:
>
>I pushed the send button a little too quick and didn't finish my thought.
>
>When the pianist comes in and insists on a setting the piano at a particular
>pitch, if it is impractical to do, I just say "I'll do the best I can".
>When they come back for the concert it will be the farthest thing from their
>mind and they probably won't notice.  In fact, they will probably thank you
>for changing the pitch even if you haven't.  The placebo effect is real, use
>it.
>
>David Love

David,
    While I agree with the placebo effect (I'll never forget the praise I 
got for an improvement that never happened), I have to disagree about the 
artists "not noticing". Many I've tuned for have pulled out little 
electronic tuners to check the piano, especially when in trio, or the like. 
Now... that's when some techs might just "tune the A's", but... oh well. 
Like it has been said, we can only do our best, and hope that we can help 
the artist please the audience.

Regards,
Guy Nichols



>----- Original Message -----
>From: "David Renaud" <drjazzca@yahoo.ca>
>To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
>Sent: May 04, 2002 8:03 AM
>Subject: to A442 & back(D)
>
>
> > Steinway D, in a Hall.
> >
> > Artist shows up 12 noon, announces it must be A442.
> > So I crank fast 8 cents and leave, returning
> > just before the show to tune.
> >
> > Cranked it back down this morning,
> > I actually found this more difficult then
> > bringing it up, three passes, it still is not
> > as stable as it was before I began. Mind you
> > it had been tuned many times lately.
> >
> > Questions:
> >
> > 1) Is it my imagination because I am looking for it,
> > or does this really destabilize a 9 foot as much as I
> > think it has. I am finding I have  to reseat strings
> > on the bridge, and go over, and over certain sections.
> > And the piano was getting so stable before....
> >
> > 2) How many would refuse to do this. It concerns me
> > because the request  could come often on account of
> > location. This hall using lots of Quebec based touring
> > acts out of Montreal. I am in Quebec, at the border of
> > Ontario. Since Montreal symphony uses A442, some
> > musicians insist on it, and some insist on A440.
> >   I could see this request once a month. After doing
> > it once, It does not excited me.  I have only recently
> > acquired a couple D's to tune for 2 halls, and
> > apparently a 9 foot board is mighty "flexible" if that
> > is the right word, ie: it perhaps moves more.
> >
> >                          Dave Renaud
> >                          RPT
> >                          Canada
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