Advice on tuning techniques for recovering tendonitis sufferer

[David Love]

The Steinway C&A techs advocate this technique to test stability especially
in the capo section.  You can use a hammer shank or something similar.  A
slight push deflecting the string just a bit after setting the pin will test
to see whether the segments are equalized and stabile.  

 

David Love
davidlovepianos at comcast.net
www.davidlovepianos.com 

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of Robert Finley
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2007 8:02 PM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: Advice on tuning techniques for recovering tendonitis sufferer

 

Since July of last year I have been suffering from lateral epicondylitis in
my left arm, or tennis elbow. I am not sure if I got this by practicing the
piano, tuning pianos, lifting a heavy suitcase, playing golf or what. I have
had a couple of cortisone injections and physical therapy sessions, and now
the problem has almost disappeared. After this problem started, I had to
severely cut back on my piano tunings because it was painful when I had to
hit the keys firmly with the fingers of my left hand to settle the strings.
I recently tuned a piano and tried to hit the key with my right hand, then
hold the key down with my left finger while I turned the tuning hammer with
my right hand. It took longer but I was able to tune the piano, and it
reduced the amount of pain I had in my left arm. The last thing I want to
happen is to aggravate my arm and for this problem to come back, and then to
eventually need surgery. I have heard that surgery is not always successful
and can lead to permanent irreversible damage. It's a very scary thought
since I am a concert pianist and teacher as well. 

 

I have heard that some piano technicians use a technique where they hit the
key with a smaller amount of force and gently push the string with a small
rod or tool to equalize the tension along the speaking length. This avoids
the need to hit the key firmly and achieves the same effect, whilst reducing
the chance of getting tendonitis and tinnitus (due to high sound levels that
might cause hearing loss unless ear plugs are used). 

 

My question is, has anyone used this and how successful is it? Do you push
the string downwards or horizontally inwards? Does it matter? Is this done
after the key had been struck? What is the sequence of actions to use? How
long would you expect to complete a piano tuning using this technique? 

 

Thank you for your help. 

 

Robert Finley

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