Advice on tuning techniques for recovering tendonitis sufferer

[Norma Neufeld]

Hi Robert,

I can certainly sympathize with your situation and your concerns.  I have the same condition (right arm) and have been dealing with it for almost a year now.  

I can't advise you on the 'tool pushing the string' technique, but here's something else you might try.  My mentor broke his left wrist years ago and had to change his tuning style.  He plays the note, not very loud, with his left hand while tuning except for the final blow when he takes his right hand off the hammer and hits the key with his right hand.  This does not slow him down at all and his tunings are rock solid.  It may take a little practice.  :-)

A word of caution for anyone who has, or thinks they may have, tennis elbow.  Please take the time at the onset to let the arm heal completely before aggravating the injury or causing permanent damage.  Here's some excellent info from a physical therapy site  http://www.nismat.org/ptcor/tennis_elbow  

Hope this helps,

Norma Neufeld
Saskatoon, SK
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Robert Finley 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2007 9:02 PM
  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


------------------------------------------------------------------------------


  No virus found in this incoming message.
  Checked by AVG Free Edition.
  Version: 7.5.446 / Virus Database: 268.18.11/723 - Release Date: 3/15/07 11:27 AM
-------------- next part --------------
An HTML attachment was scrubbed...
URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/20070318/747c792f/attachment.html