[pianotech] Tuning with birds

[Terry Farrell]

Well, at least it wasn't because you were playing the piano!  ;-)

Terry Farrell

On Mar 1, 2010, at 12:59 PM, Norman Dutton wrote:

> As an infrequent participant, I'll reintroduce myself: My name is  
> Norm Dutton, and I'm Dave Ilvedson's "not so newbie" apprentice. I  
> have an odd experience to tell about.
>
> I recently tuned a Wurlitzer console for a couple who were referred  
> to me by Dave. They had a large bird cage, about 4' high, right next  
> to the piano, with two songbirds in it. It was close enough that the  
> birds were getting birdseed into the keyboard, which I had to clean  
> out (they have since moved the bird cage). Before firing up the  
> vacuum cleaner, I asked the people if the birds were okay with the  
> noise of the vacuum, and they said the birds would be fine. I kept  
> an eye on them, and they seemed fine while I vacuumed. Then I tuned  
> the piano. For a while the birds sang along, which was annoying, but  
> not too distracting. I was grateful when they stopped singing, but  
> didn't really pay attention at the time. After I was packed and  
> ready to go, I turned to say goodbye to the birds and noticed one of  
> them lying face down on the bottom of the cage! The bird died.  
> Fortunately, the people don't blame me for the bird's death. It's a  
> bit of a mystery.
>
> Has this happened to anybody else?
>
> Norman Dutton
> PTG Associate Member

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