to A442 & back(D)

[David Love]

Hi Guy (I guess you've heard that one before)

If they have to pull out their little Korgs then they probably can't really
tell.  How would you feel if they pulled out their SAT III and started
checking your tuning.  "Hmmm, this one seems to be drifting a little flat
sir...".  I'm probably being a bit harsh.  Fact is, I make more concessions
for artists than I probably should because taking care of their psychology
is part of the job.  I was really commenting on the timing of the problem.
The artist walks in at noon for an 8:00 PM concert and wants the pitch
raised and stable.  It can be difficult.  I don't like to move the pitch
around on a D for individual tastes.  But the placebo effect does work.  You
know, "This note doesn't sound quite right does it?  So you move one string
of the unison out of tune and back in tune and they say, "oh yes, much
better now".  Maybe I'm getting too cynical.

David Love


----- Original Message -----
From: "Nichols" <nicho@lascruces.com>
To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: May 04, 2002 6:44 PM
Subject: Re: to A442 & back(D)


>     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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> > >
> > >
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> > >
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