need some opinions

[Michael Magness]

On Fri, Jul 4, 2008 at 8:51 AM, Leslie Bartlett <l-bartlett at sbcglobal.net>
wrote:

> I have been a tuner for a large church in town, the other tuner having
> retired.  I learned that actually was not quite the case. I have been
> sharing the tunings with another tuner in the city.  The church's pianist
> indicated some time ago she wished me to come with her and tell her why she
> "hated the Steinway"......  Well, it was tuned to 440, while the pipe organ
> was about 13 cents flat..................  So having fixed the disparity
> (not tuning the pipe organ, to be sure), the Steinway seemed quite more
> agreeable.
>
> For a major recent concert the piano was tuned by the other tuner.  I was
> called this week to "bring the piano up to pitch" because a major concert
> venue was to use it this weekend.  Here is what I found.  The variance was
> from +17 cents, to -23 cents, most of the top octave being 20 or more cents
> flat, and the low-to mid sections being mostly 6-to-ten cents sharp.  My
> typical tunings of that piano will vary as much as seven cents over
> three-four months in a worship room seating nearly 1000, and in which the
> heating/air conditioning is on/off, on/off, depending on whether the room is
> being used.
>
> I informed the pianist that I could not share such tunings with another
> tuner because it would ultimately affect the piano, and could affect the
> reputations of two tuners.   I would appreciate some opinions as to the
> veracity (or not) of my statements.  If you would "reply all", then your
> responses will also go to the pianist of the church, unedited by myself.
>  Thanks
> les bartlett
> houston
>
>>
>>
Hi Les & Barbara,

I began tuning at a major university some years back as a "fill-in" for
another tech who had to be out of town. I was informed by the man who
arranged for the tunings that he would like to add my name to his "list" of
techs available to tune as needed. I explained to him the importance of
choosing one person for the work and perhaps an alternate should that person
not be available.
I told him that although the piano may sound fine when each different person
finishes with it and it may satisfy the musician using it, it still wasn't
good for the piano to have 3 or 4 different people tuning the piano. We as
techs, each develop techniques that work for us, that "leave our mark" so to
speak, on the piano, when someone else comes to tune they change that "mark"
and it is ultimately harmful to the piano to be changed so often.
A piano can be and is, every bit as delicate as a violin in many respects
and should have a continuity of care from one person whenever possible. One
person will keep track of the history, any problems beginning to develop and
advise the owner/manager of the instrument, of a course of action.
I was chosen as the tech for that particular instance, I believe primarily
because I bothered to take the time to give him the advice, my friend that I
was filling in for serves as my alternate.

Regarding the tuning of the pipe organ and the piano, IMHO this is a
"battle" that cannot be won, pipe organs vary too much, cost too much to
tune and change too often to retune as often as they go out.
Most of the churches I tune for that have both, try for having them in tune
together at Christmas or Easter and the rest of the time use them
seperately.

Mike

-- 
Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection we can catch
excellence.
Vince Lombardi

Michael Magness
Magness Piano Service
608-786-4404
www.IFixPianos.com
email mike at ifixpianos.com
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