Impact Tuning Lever

[William R. Monroe]

Avery,

Um, I thought we were speaking about tuning, yes?  How does my writing fit
in?

I am actually left handed writer, but mostly a right handed tuner (still
working on my left handed tuning).

Perhaps I should clarify, though I'm not sure if this is what you are
questioning.  I guess I'm speaking a bit hypothetically here, suggesting
that if one were equally capable with either hand on the tuning lever, then
it would matter not which one they chose to tune either kind of piano.  They
would be able to produce the same results with left or right hand on an
upright or grand, because they have the technique, not because it is better
to tune left handed on a vertical, etc.



John,

Even in the not so old days!!  I was actually restricted from writing with
my left hand for some time - until my Mother (left-handed that she is) found
out and put an end to that!!!  Thanks Mom.

William R. Monroe


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Avery Todd" <avery1@houston.rr.com>
To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 19, 2005 4:30 PM
Subject: Re: Impact Tuning Lever


> Well, William,
>
> I guess that means that you can write as well with your left hand as you
can
> with your right. Assuming that you're right handed, of course. I'm so glad
you
> can. I can't!
>
> Avery
>
> At 03:32 PM 3/19/05, you wrote:
> >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
> >
> >
> >_______________________________________________
> >pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>
>
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