[pianotech] nomenclature

[Paul T Williams]

zactly :>) If I say "thingy" it makes me look/sound like an idiot.  My 
favorite auto mechanic back in Seattle always explained things in proper 
nomenclature.  Maybe because I know a thing or two about cars, but he 
would explain why the "thingy" needed to work properly with the 
thingamajig for the car to go... in an intelligent way!  I heard him 
explain to little old ladies or gents, or whomever, in proper terminology 
with some explanation of what that part was and why it wasn't working. 
Sometimes, he took more time to tell them about the thingy, but always 
used the part's name...  maybe that's why I went to him for 20 years! We 
became great friends over the years!  He had a piano too, and so the tide 
turned with him, and he would get it.  Nice to regulate a piano for a 
timing belt replacement, or help me get a good replacement car for a great 
deal

I think explaining in real words boosts the customer's intelligence. Never 
talk "down" to anybody, but bring them "up" to your level!!  That's always 
been my norm.  How else can they explain the next time what might be 
happening.  The "sticky key" got to be much easier to diagnose over the 
phone the next time they called!! 

Being correct, sounding like you know what you're doing, explaining parts 
and their functions, will save you all time in the future, and it makes 
the customer more confident when they call you!

Don't get all into proper measurements and all.  If you do, then the 
glazed eyes will appear!! :>)

Good on you!

Paul





From:
William Monroe <bill at a440piano.net>
To:
pianotech at ptg.org
Date:
11/17/2011 11:56 AM
Subject:
Re: [pianotech] nomenclature



Basically, I agree, Paul.  We may be saying the same thing, essentially. 
 That is, I don't tell them that a jack is a "thingy" or anything else.  I 
do often say, "this "L" shaped piece is called the jack..."  And ever 
after it is simply the jack.  So yes, I explain, but I do so using proper 
nomenclature.  As you say, though, only as much as a client wants.  As the 
eyes glaze, my explanations shorten.

William R. Monroe

On Thu, Nov 17, 2011 at 8:20 AM, Paul T Williams <
pwilliams4 at unlnotes.unl.edu> wrote:
I don't know, William.  I can't usually read the Dr.'s writing ;>).   

But like Wim,  I explain in layman's terms, but write up in proper 
nomenclature. If the customer seems interested, I'll show them what a jack 
is, or a damper wire, or whatever I worked on.  Most people just want it 
to work and I can tell if I'm talking to a brick wall pretty fast, now, 
after 20 years in this biz. 

Paul 



From: 
William Monroe <bill at a440piano.net> 
To: 
pianotech at ptg.org 
Date: 
11/17/2011 08:13 AM 
Subject: 
Re: [pianotech] nomenclature




Does your doctor write a prescription in layman's terms? 

Use intelligent language that says what you really mean, and give an 
explanation if necessary.  I carry labelled upright and grand action 
diagrams for my curious clients.  In other words, I try to educate my 
clients, rather than dumb down my presentation. 

William R. Monroe 



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