What to I do when tuner comes over?

[ranniks]

The last and first time he came I was not at home and the piano was in the living room instead of in my own room one level up. My parents were home and paid him.

My piano needs to be tuned again and this time I'll probably be home, but I'm a bit weird and I'm not sure how to act/what to do? I mean, so he goes up to my room and works on my piano, great, but what do I do in the meantime?

I was thinking of staying in the room of my sister until he's done, but I'm not sure. I was thinking of offering something to drink and letting him do his job, but obviously I'll need to look up at what he's doing every 15-30 minutes because I'm somewhat mistrustful of people.....

Help would be most welcome.

[sirpazhan]

there's no set plan of action you need to do when a tuner is working on your piano.. if you don't want to leave the tech unattended,, stay with the tech and ask to explain and to educate, while your piano is being tuned/serviced,,, you'll better understand the mechanics of your piano. otherwise, just let them do their job, and periodically check in to see if they need anything.

tell them exactly what you want out of your piano,, ie: raise the pitch, adjusting the pedals.. etc -- they're there to accommodate you. so feel free to express yourself.  

[iansinclair]

Best thing to do is to let him or her get on with the job... I usually go into another room and take a nap!  (but then, at my age, taking a nap is a fairly routine thing anyway...).

When he or she comes, though, it is helpful to point out any specific problems of which you are aware -- a unison, for example, which is anything but.  If you also have your tuner do adjustments and the like, it helps too to be very specific about what you want done -- this damper is a little slow, or that repetition is a little slow, or a certain key drop isn't quite right.  That sort of thing.  It will help if he or she doesn't have to sort of muddle over the whole instrument to find what isn't quite right (which may not be obvious to him or her!).

[oxy60]

The last and first time he came I was not at home and the piano was in the living room instead of in my own room one level up. My parents were home and paid him.

My piano needs to be tuned again and this time I'll probably be home, but I'm a bit weird and I'm not sure how to act/what to do? I mean, so he goes up to my room and works on my piano, great, but what do I do in the meantime?

I was thinking of staying in the room of my sister until he's done, but I'm not sure. I was thinking of offering something to drink and letting him do his job, but obviously I'll need to look up at what he's doing every 15-30 minutes because I'm somewhat mistrustful of people.....

Help would be most welcome.

This an excellent opportunity for you grow up a little. It's time, you know... Interacting with people you hire will be a life long job. No one can tell you what to do. You need to find your style.

I was thrust into a manager's job when I was 14 and have been at it ever since. How I relate to a cement truck driver is different from what I would say to a City inspector. I chiped in some muscle and helped my tuner turn over a grand to put peg dope in the pins!

Stop being so weird! Join the human race!

[ted]

Just as Ian says, I point out any concerns and leave him to it. When I hear he is half way through I give him a cup of tea and biscuits, we chat about music and then I go away again. He rebuilt my action eight years ago and I trust his ability and judgement.

[j_menz]

I agree with Ian and Ted. I'd only add that before he comes, tidy your room!!!

[rachmaninoff_forever]

When the tuner comes to the school, I get zoo excited!

Dude we like chill and just talk!!!

We're like best friends!

[outin]

The first time I tried not to bother too much, but it turned out that my tuner/techinician doesn't mind discussions while working at all, so we talk about pianos...

[oxy60]

Be careful with the chatty ones. However make sure they know when to find you if you leave them alone...

[outin]

Be careful with the chatty ones. However make sure they know when to find you if you leave them alone...

The chatting was actually very useful this time, he promised to look for a very old grand for me and prepare it to my taste...we even discussed forte pianos

And he obviously knows what he is doing, talking doesn't seem to interfere with the tuning process.

[hfmadopter]

The chatting was actually very useful this time, he promised to look for a very old grand for me and prepare it to my taste...we even discussed forte pianos

And he obviously knows what he is doing, talking doesn't seem to interfere with the tuning process.

What you describe above is exactly how I ended up with my 1898 Henry F Miller Parlor Grand ( 5'11"). I had an old upright and the same nice old guy tuning it. We got to be friends, he and his wife and my wife and myself went to an Earl Wild concert together and some local talent recitals as well.  He knew I was looking for a grand but I already had planted the word that affordability was possibly not going to make that practical at the time. Within a couple of years at most I had my grand. Took a bunch of trading of work and a couple thousand bucks cash but I got it, partially restored  with combined labor of his and mine and have owned it ever since. Basically, the old guy was watching out for me !! He is how I hooked up with my great teacher I mention in the forums as well.

So, long story short, chatting is a good thing sometimes.

But outin, I thought you were hot on the trail of an Estonia in your not too distant future ?

[quantum]

When my tech comes, I give a general overview of the piano, and point out any items of concern.  As the tech and repair aspect of pianos interests me I do observe, but from a distance and never hovering over the work.  Usually, I'll sit in the opposite corner of the room with a book, leaving the tech to do their job. 

[outin]

What you describe above is exactly how I ended up with my 1898 Henry F Miller Parlor Grand ( 5'11"). I had an old upright and the same nice old guy tuning it. We got to be friends, he and his wife and my wife and myself went to an Earl Wild concert together and some local talent recitals as well.  He knew I was looking for a grand but I already had planted the word that affordability was possibly not going to make that practical at the time. Within a couple of years at most I had my grand. Took a bunch of trading of work and a couple thousand bucks cash but I got it, partially restored  with combined labor of his and mine and have owned it ever since. Basically, the old guy was watching out for me !! He is how I hooked up with my great teacher I mention in the forums as well.

So, long story short, chatting is a good thing sometimes.

But outin, I thought you were hot on the trail of an Estonia in your not too distant future ?

I still am, but due to everything going on at the moment buying from abroad is a bit difficult. So I will postpone that to a slightly more distant future. One can never have too many pianod, right? And having on old one is also something I have wanted, but didn't want to get something that does not work...

[hfmadopter]

One can never have too many pianod, right? And having on old one is also something I have wanted, but didn't want to get something that does not work...

I hear that ! The wife agrees that if we ever get our dream Steinway it will go in the living room and the Miller we will move into the studio. The Kawai (digital) will probably stay where it is, also in the living room.

I'm not on the trail of a Steinway though, it's one of those things where one just never knows, it could be that we stumble upon one. I'm real happy with both of my existing pianos though.

As to when I had a tuner come in, I just checked in and out with him. The old guy I got the Miller from was a nice old guy. I had to break ties with him ( by now I'm sure he has passed away) and went with Chris Brown, at the time he was a new tech fairly fresh out of school and building his customer base . I tune my own piano now but still check in with Chris if I get in a bind about something. I would still call him in for any serious rebuilding I believe.

[ranniks]

Thanks so much everyone!

My room isn't big so reading a book would be the same as me standing three feet away from him. I could go read a book in next room though.

I'll just say hi and tell him what I want done with my instrument and offer him something to drink while he's busy and come every 20 minutes (or 30 minutes) and see how he's doing.

The only reason I can afford a tuning right now is because I've sold some books. Can't wait to see the full potential of my 1960/1970 upright (according to my tuner it's from the 60s/70s, that's why).

[outin]

I hear that ! The wife agrees that if we ever get our dream Steinway it will go in the living room and the Miller we will move into the studio. The Kawai (digital) will probably stay where it is, also in the living room.

I'm not on the trail of a Steinway though, it's one of those things where one just never knows, it could be that we stumble upon one. I'm real happy with both of my existing pianos though.

He actually has a Steinway now that he is working on, but it was simply too big for my living room...so I'll wait for something smaller...

[hfmadopter]

He actually has a Steinway now that he is working on, but it was simply too big for my living room...so I'll wait for something smaller...

Ah, well maybe an S model will come along. Have him regulate and voice that to your taste ( about 5'1" long). The one I played was a bit heavy but I'm sure that can be dealt with up front. I took lessons on that piano for 10 years, it was my teachers piano. Lovely with nice tonal character but of course if let go it gets as ratty as any other piano to play. A bit larger offers more bass but there was plenty to go around for the size room it was in for sure.
 
 Did  he mention what brands he is likely to run into over there or did you specify any for that matter ? The 5'11" Steinway is a really nice choice, could you fit one in that size ?

[outin]

Ah, well maybe an S model will come along. Have him regulate and voice that to your taste ( about 5'1" long).

Hmmm...don't know how big that is...won't you people ever change to the metric system? I'm tired of googling for converters all the time, I never remember your funny measurements

But to be honest, I have no special desire for a Steinway...they are supposed to be good, but any European quality piano will do. Most used Steinways around here are probably from institutions, so they have been heavily used.

 

Did  he mention what brands he is likely to run into over there or did you specify any for that matter ? The 5'11" Steinway is a really nice choice, could you fit one in that size ?

Most older grands around here that are not imported used are either from the previous communist countries, older Yamahas or German brands. So something German would be nice...

[ranniks]

European or not, it should not say anything about the quality of a piano.

The quality comes from the manufacturer. If they don't do a good job, then the piano won't be good either. And I mean a steady good line of production.

I live in the Netherlands (next to Germany) and we have our fair share of European/German pianos, but even then, there are definitely a few between them that aren't so good.

Steinway....Hmmm. I havn't played one even though there are a few at a shop a good 60 minutes away from my home.

My teacher (he's from the same country as where Steinway was originaly made), tells me that he once played a Steinway with some friends and they had a real blast. The way he spoke was as if the Steinway was really good piano. I'm definitely going to need to play one once.

Anyways, screw brands, just go visit a random piano shop and play to your hearts contents until you find one. Most likely - as always with human psychologie - the only reason we think Steinway is really great is because it has been drilled into our heads by others. So when you do get to play on a Steinway and it blows your mind away, then you really want one and start to obsess about it (like I do). But when you play a bad Steinway you are thoroughly dissapointed and maybe think bad of the brand.

Like I said, brand says one thing, the way it is produced another.

Like a month orso ago I was ready to throw my upright away, but now that my hands are getting stronger and the tuner is coming along soon, I changed my mind. Well, maybe not since I will one day require 88 keys instead of 85 I think.....

[outin]

Like I said, brand says one thing, the way it is produced another.

There is some correlation though...because in some factories especially behind the iron curtain they just didn't have access to quality parts.

I have seen some old French pianos around here also. But for me the brand is not important if I am getting an older piano. I already made a list to the tech about things that are important to me, Some  things he can work on, but some things have to be right from the start. It has to be comfortable to play, no slippery plastic like keys with sharp edges like my present piano.

We talked about the problems with my upright, it's not the down weight, the problem is the stiffness of the damper system. With the pedal down it's fine to play. With an older piano I guess this would not be an issue, rather might be the opposite...

[hfmadopter]

Hmmm...don't know how big that is...won't you people ever change to the metric system? I'm tired of googling for converters all the time, I never remember your funny measurements

But to be honest, I have no special desire for a Steinway...they are supposed to be good, but any European quality piano will do. Most used Steinways around here are probably from institutions, so they have been heavily used.

 Most older grands around here that are not imported used are either from the previous communist countries, older Yamahas or German brands. So something German would be nice...

154.94 centimeters. A lot of the modern generation has changed, I'm old school I guess ! But a 30 second search got me the answer, LOL. I'm tired of googling for your silly measurements as well . Funny when I was young I bought a British sports car and some metric tools just to find out the foolish car used S.A.E. nuts and bolts ( what we used to consider standard here)! I still have the tool set, the car is long gone. As are most British cars of the era. Today's American cars have as much metric in them as standard, if not more and in many cases all metric.

I agree, something German would indeed be nice.

[outin]

154.94 centimeters.

Thanks I told him 170 would be the maximum size, but I really would not mind something smaller.

One reason that I want an old piano is that then he could do whatever work I want to it without having to worry about making it too weird for reselling. He doesn't want to do too much to my upright since I might end up selling it.

Also with an old piano I have to worry less about the finish. I really do not care how the piano looks, it can be really warn out in finish as long as the keys and action are in order. The soundboard doesn't have to be 100% perfect either as long as the sound is fine. I know that no matter how long I try out a piano in a shop, I won't know if it's perfect before getting it home and played it for weeks. So I want to experiment with something completely different without investing too much right now. I gave him a modest budget, so I can trade into something else later

[hfmadopter]

Thanks I told him 170 would be the maximum size, but I really would not mind something smaller.

One reason that I want an old piano is that then he could do whatever work I want to it without having to worry about making it too weird for reselling. He doesn't want to do too much to my upright since I might end up selling it.

Also with an old piano I have to worry less about the finish. I really do not care how the piano looks, it can be really warn out in finish as long as the keys and action are in order. The soundboard doesn't have to be 100% perfect either as long as the sound is fine. I know that no matter how long I try out a piano in a shop, I won't know if it's perfect before getting it home and played it for weeks. So I want to experiment with something completely different without investing too much right now. I gave him a modest budget, so I can trade into something else later

Good thinking !  170 is really more practical IMO. In any case, you will gain the accuracy of the movement in most grands over an upright unless it's beat to death. Even smaller so called Baby Grands.

Lets hope he comes up with something interesting ! Exciting and smart !

[ranniks]

Technician is coming in tomorrow in the morning.

[hfmadopter]

Technician is coming in tomorrow in the morning.

Let us know how it goes and all turns out !

[ranniks]

So today went very well actually! We talked a bit about instruments and piano brands and digital pianos. I trusted him enough to let him upstairs in my room while I did whatever I did downstairs with the family.

The instrument was tuned very well and the cost was lower than I initially thought.

I've added me playing after the tuning. My ears aren't that well developed because I only feel that the keys are smoother, the sound is cleaner and that some annoying keys are well up to par with each other now.

Thanks all!

[hfmadopter]

So today went very well actually! We talked a bit about instruments and piano brands and digital pianos. I trusted him enough to let him upstairs in my room while I did whatever I did downstairs with the family.

The instrument was tuned very well and the cost was lower than I initially thought.

I've added me playing after the tuning. My ears aren't that well developed because I only feel that the keys are smoother, the sound is cleaner and that some annoying keys are well up to par with each other now.

Thanks all!

All is well then ! That piano actually has quite a nice tone.

[ranniks]

All is well then ! That piano actually has quite a nice tone.

Indeed!

David, I've sent you a private message which I hope you can answer.

[hfmadopter]

Indeed!

David, I've sent you a private message which I hope you can answer.

Question answered, good luck !

[ranniks]

Question answered, good luck !

It all went well David, you're the best, thanks!