Stretching Strings

One of my side jobs/hobbies is piano tuning and repair. This means that my piano is out of tune (it's so close...I'll do it later...and later...and later...), and I have a piano in my garage that needs repairing(I just don't want to spend the money on replacement parts). It also means I go to complete strangers houses and tune their pianos.

Tuning a stranger's piano is always interesting. No matter what questions you ask over the phone, you never really know what you're getting yourself into.

First task is attempting to find the house. I always used mapquest.com or GoogleMaps at home before I leave. I also have a GPS on my phone. The GPS is wonderful...as long as I have coverage. Most people that I tune for live out in the country. No Phone Service, No GPS. Today I found my client's house pretty easily. Knocked on the door and waited...and waited...and waited. Just when I was about ready to leave I heard someone walking down the stairs.

Once inside, small talk is required so the client feels comfortable leaving you alone in a room. Having people around is fine, the noise doesn't bother me. I just make faces while I'm listening that sometimes is disconcerting to other people. :-)

Then you finally get on to the piano! Today a Kimball Spinet, Inspection Signature 1964. Main complaint: Out of tune & has a "Tinny" sound.

On inspection...yes, both of those complaints are correct. The Interior of the piano was in great condition. The Piano just hadn't been tuned in a very very very long time.

Now, in my estimation, Spinets are harder to tune than Uprights. I feel like Uprights have more play in the strings. Spinets tend to have sensitive strings. Once I sat down to start tuning this piano was nearly a full step low! That's 2 Half Steps(keys on the piano)! I started my tuning and quickly realized if I tried to bring it all the way up to pitch that some of the strings would break. Not good. I talked to the owner and we decided that I would tune it to 1/2 step low. Much closer. In 6 months, I'll go back and try to restore it up to normal pitch (A 440).

A Simple tuning reduced the "Tinny" sound immensely. The "Tinniness" happens when not all of the strings are in unison. Most notes have 2 to 3 strings, and if they aren't all on the same pitch, you will get a "Tinny" sound.

This piano is a very bright piano. Probably one of the brightest I've tuned. It's kind of cool that each piano is so different. After I was finished, I tested the piano by playing various samples of classical music, some improv, Scales, chords, arpeggios, whatever I could think of. I called the owner down to let her know I was done. Her son came and played the piano.

"Wow! That sounds so much better!"

Always nice to hear that! Another happy customer!

Time To Face The Music

I've let this blog sit dormant for well over a year. Partly because I'm lazy when it comes to writing, partly because I didn't feel I had anything important or entertaining to say. Perhaps I still don't, but I'm going to write anyway.

I've reached that point in life where it seems everything is hitting you head on. Life isn't softened for the child anymore. You're expected to live it. Live the good, and live the bad. Live the joy, live the pain. Let's face it, sometimes life just sucks. I've wanted to turn this blog back to the music. Music heals. Music, a few simple sounds can pull deep emotion from within you. Whether it be linked to a memory or something your hearing for the first time. Music affects you.

This song has always been a favorite, even before I saw Casablanca. You can't stop time. Love the people in your life. Get up and live your life, life doesn't stop for anyone.

"This day and age we're living in gives cause for apprehension.

With speed and new invention, and things like 3rd dimension.

Yet we get a trifle weary, with Mr. Einstein's theory.

So we must get down to Earth at times

Relax relieve the tension.

No matter what the progress, or what may yet be proved.

The simple facts of life are such they cannot be removed.

You must remember this, a kiss is still a kiss.

A sigh is still a sigh. The fundamental things apply...as time goes by.

When two lovers woo, they still say "I love you,"

On that you can rely. No matter what the future brings...as time goes by.

Moonlight and love songs, never out of date.

Hearts full of passion, jealousy and hate.

Woman needs man and man must have his mate.

That no one can deny.

It's still the same old story,

A fight for love and glory,

A case of do or die.

The world will always welcome lovers...

As time goes by"