Impact Tuning Lever

[tune4u@earthlink.net]

I'd give my right arm to be ambidextrous.

Actually, it sure would help on the grand high treble and in places where they've put the piano in a corner!

Alan Barnard
Salem, MO

-----Original Message-----
From: "William R. Monroe" <pianotech@a440piano.net>
Sent: Mar 19, 2005 3:32 PM
To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org>
Subject: Re: Impact Tuning Lever

Alan,

I do think ambidextrous tuning is a good practice, for many reasons.  That
said, however, I must respectfully say that I think all any technician needs
is properly developed technique.  Tuning right or left handed should make no
difference so long as the technician compensates for the physics of the
hammer position, movement, etc.

Sometimes, this is a conscious process; e.g. while tuning right handed on a
vertical, we understand that pulling the pin down a bit will result in a
(relatively) higher pitch when released - all other things being equal - so
we compensate by not pulling above pitch as much prior to setting.  This is
a bit oversimplified, but I think you get the idea.  I would expect that
mostly it is subconscious.  Whichever hand anyone uses to tune is
irrelevant.  It is my position that knowing how the piano responds to your
particular tuning technique IS relevant and is what makes for a good tuning.
An ambidextrous technician should be equally capable of tuning grands or
uprights with either hand, in my opinion.

William R. Monroe


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Alan Forsyth" <alanforsyth@fortune4.fsnet.co.uk>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 1:35 PM
Subject: Re: Impact Tuning Lever


" I also like your idea of using pitch raises to get used to left-handed
work. I don't really have the time to try and fine-tune with my left just
yet.
Good news!
-holly" >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


Don't know about you guys but we were taught to be ambidextrous from day
one. Left handed for uprights and right handed for grands. The main idea is
that it automatically compensates for tuning pin setting. When using your
left arm to tune an upright, the pin would tend to move upwards (because you
would be pushing up from underneath) and then settle back down. If you used
your right arm, you would tend to pull down on the pin. Visa versa with
grands.

AF
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: ilex cameron ross
  To: Pianotech
  Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 2:44 PM
  Subject: RE: Impact Tuning Lever


  Thanks for sharing, Terry - this is really good to hear. I'm only in my
early 30s and due to a combination of tuning and a really really stupid fall
a couple of years ago, I have pretty consistent problems with my tuning
wrist. Not to mention the weekly chiro visits for just general back and
shoulder crap. Anymore I absolutely have to wear a wrist brace when tuning,
and I have been pondering the investment of an impact lever. I also like
your idea of using pitch raises to get used to left-handed work. I don't
really have the time to try and fine-tune with my left just yet.
  Good news!
  -holly
    -----Original Message-----
    From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On
Behalf Of Terry
    Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 5:54 AM
    To: pianotech@ptg.org
    Subject: Impact Tuning Lever


    A while ago I posted questions regarding purchase of an impact tuning
lever. I've been using it for a few months now and just thought I would
report in.

    For a couple years now I have been rastling with some kind of
torn/strained muscle/tendon in my shoulder (thanks to a Boston studio & a
1098 on the same day) and tendonitis in the elbow - both in my tuning arm.
It had gotten to the point where I had walked away from several service
appointments because I knew tuning that piano would put me out of work for
some weeks.

    I've been using the impact lever for pitch raises on all vertical pianos
unless they have very low-torque tuning pins. I use my trusty Renner/Bowman
lever for tuning verticals and everything on grands. I pitch-raised Kimball
and Baldwin consoles yesterday - both were raised more than 100 cents - they
both got two pitch-raise passes and then a tuning pass. Both these pianos
had excessively tight tuning pins - easily around 200+ in-lbs. I used the
impact lever for these four pitch-raise passes and I have no arm pain today
at all. The impact lever seems to have saved me!

    I impact the bass with my left hand and the rest of the scale with my
right - I'm trying to train myself to become ambidextrous with the impact
lever - again, in case I wreck an arm at some point I could keep tuning. I
can see that it will take quite a bit of practice to become good at fine
tuning with the impact lever, but I think using it for all vertical pitch
raises will eventually get me to the point where I can start attempting
using the impact lever for fine tuning - I would like to get to the point
where I can use it for all vertical tuning.

    Bottom line: the impact lever has saved my arm, avoided interruptions in
income, and will likely extend my tuning career (unless soundboard
manufacturing can save me from the spinet devils!). I am very happy I have
started using this great tool!

    Terry Farrell


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