Yes, I also thought that Charles' post about perception had some good points.
As others have noted, machine tuning does not enjoy universal acceptance. Over a number of years, I've seen the remarks change a little bit. Gradually a few more people remark on my tuning aurally as being something unusual (and welcomed.) I tend to say, "well, there aren't all that many of us anymore. Sometimes I feel like the last of the Mohicans. But I like to do it this way."
I have a standard response to anyone who mentions ETD tuning in a negative way. Well, I can't remember when anyone mentioned electronic tuning because they preferred it. I move it all back in time by telling them that the devices have improved a tremendous amount in the last 15 or 20 years. I am tacitly assuming that when they mention a machine tuning they really didn't like that it was so long ago that the machines were not good enough. Then I tell them that a lot of tuners these day do good tunings with the devices, though I also give my opinion that the ones who tune well with the machines are those who could also tune equally well without them.
By now I've said these things to customers several hundred times at least. We work to support the musical community in general and our customers in particular. It seems all too likely that in the future if they want their pianos tuned at all, the person they will find (possibly with difficulty) will be using an ETD. It would do them a disservice not to try to reconcile them to the idea, even if they have come to the opposite conclusion before I arrived on the scene.
I do not think it is a good idea to second guess a customer by assuming that they disliked a tuning because of cultural preconceptions instead of esthetic preferences. We don't know that. Many of the tunings by the early machines did not sound good. I know because I followed a lot of them. In fact, customers' dislike of them were a steady source of work for me back in the 1980's. Not only were the machines less good back in the sight-o-tuner days, but the people using them had not had as long to learn how to get the best from them. So, when a customer bad mouths electronic tuning, the tuning they didn't like may go back decades. People tend to remember things like that a long time. They also are usually quite polite, and most probably didn't complain at the time. They just looked elsewhere for their next tuning. Of course, with time, they will die out, and the people who got better work done with better ETD's, being younger, will gradually take over.
Peter, I long since stopped worrying about whether I get lambasted for something. Despite appearances, I don't set out to offend people, but if giving my true opinion brings me a lot of social disapproval, I can handle it. I know from my own experience, now pushing 40 years, that using an ETD and going for a high volume of work would be an unsustainable disaster for me. I know that most of the people taking part here do not share some of these limitations, and possibly also have not shared some of the rewards I have found by doing work in my own way -- or perhaps they just value other things more. If I come out openly and try to share some of what I think people are losing out on, and someone dangles the word "dishonest" in the general vicinity of my arguments, that is really not my problem. I am thinking of the other people, possibly just a few of them, who do not have the ballast of all those years of work, yet who may be better suited to my way of working than the general norm presented to them, which seems to come down to "ETD plus ears, best quality attainable, do a lot of pianos very quickly with machine precision." To sum it up, I don't like regimentation. One of the best parts of piano technology, in my opinion, is that it is so flexible and allows so many different approaches and specializations. I think it's healthy if some people learn to tune aurally only, and to stick with it until they reach a high quality of work, even if they are only a small percentage of piano tuners. I think of them as being like the people who pay a lot of money for tube amplifiers because they hate the sound from transistors, or like the people who cook from scratch using whole ingredients instead of buying food prepared in a factory by someone else. Yes, it is more work, but I think there will always be a few people who are willing to do it, and I don't want them to feel alone. So I write, droning on and on and on and ...
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Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
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Original Message:
Sent: 08-19-2017 14:27
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Why Aural Tuning?
Scott,
I hear you...and yes, Geoff got what I was trying to say...and yes, my illustration probably was overkill. Sorry for any offense...none was intended.
With that out of the way...
This profession is so steeped in tradition (as is much of the acoustic musical world) that I simply have a hard time separating from that and going all out electronic. I feel that from a professional perspective, it should be incumbent on our part to be reasonably proficient in the aural end of tuning simply because it is so much a part of the "whole" of what we do and are expected to do. I have no problem with "adding" some automation into it as a tool, provided it is in fact used as a tool.
Time for another illustration that goes to the "perception" idea as Charles pointed out (I hope this one is better than the last one but I can't guarantee it):
Think about your reaction to an immigrant who's command of the new native language indicates that he/she has learned "only enough to get by", has a very strong accent, difficult to understand vs. the one who has clearly made it a point to learn the new language well, has good vocabulary, has reduced his/her native accent to a minimum, and has really put forth the effort to learn to communicate in the new tongue.
(Remember this is just an illustration, I am not making any bigoted arguments)
Both these people may be well educated, have a PHD in physics or chemistry, or whatever. However, which one are you more likely to have a positive and confident reaction to (perception of)? Is it not the one who communicates well, the one who has gone beyond what is necessary to get by but realizes that if he/she is wanting to be recognized, it is expected of them to be able to communicate fluently and be articulate in the new environment?...therefore they put forth the extra effort (though they don't "have to").
Similarly, a large % of our clients (I'm sure some will argue with this) expect us in this profession (due to the nature of it) to have the skills to tune aurally, though they may accept some electronic assistance with explanation. If they learn that we cannot do this, their perception of us could be impaired, regardless of how good a job we prove we can do with an ETD.
Now, I could be completely out in "left field" with this and I'm pretty sure someone is going to call me on it. Maybe I AM living in a different century mentally...that's definitely possible and I won't argue that. Maybe I AM electronically challenged...I won't argue that either. Maybe I'M the one who has to get with the program and come up to speed...I might argue that one.
Nonetheless, when they see me there with my old tattered doctors bag full of tools, dressed nicely and professionally, and they learn that this whole thing is done "by ear"...they are seriously impressed and they love it. Whereas I have heard too many times: "Yeah, well the last guy used a machine of some sort..." Of course they didn't register their disappointment with him...they just called someone else.
Perception...
Pwg
(I hope I don't get lambasted for this) 😓
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Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
Original Message:
Sent: 08-19-2017 09:54
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: Why Aural Tuning?
Gerry - You are correct sir!
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"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure & TuneLab user
Original Message:
Sent: 08-19-2017 09:52
From: Gerry Johnston
Subject: Why Aural Tuning?
A couple of weeks ago I had inadvertently left my ipad on overnight in my tool bag. Upon arriving at my first appointment of the day the battery was out of power. Having tuned aurally for more than 35 years I simply went ahead and tuned by ear for the day. It worked out just fine, but my ear was a bit more fatigued by the end of the day.
Worse than this was the time, a number of years ago, when I arrived at my first appointment only to realize that I had left my tuning hammer back home on my work bench. I have always kept a T hammer in the car for string replacement and briefly thought about tuning the piano with it. No way - I simply apologized and rescheduled the appointment. (now I always keep a spare, inexpensive hammer in the car - just in case)
So...what's my point? Although I believe aural skills to be invaluable, these references to worst case scenarios in which the EDT gets lost or run over by a tractor trailer are somewhat exaggerated. After all, what does a carpenter do upon arriving at the house to work if there happens to be a power outage? Besides, how often do these things happen anyway?
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Gerry Johnston
Haverhill, MA
gj@gjpianotuner.com
www.gjpianotuner.com
(978) 372-2250
Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2017 22:41
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: Why Aural Tuning?
Thanks Geoff. Yes, I think I see what you mean. Perhaps the confusion is me trying make a different point. Knowing what you're doing can be relative. Hang with me here... If a surgeon has been trained to use a laser to take care of cataracts and that system goes down, he still knows what he's doing and the first thing he knows is that he needs that tool to complete the surgery. Does it make him incompetent if he can't complete the surgery without the proper tool? Not in my mind. Most peoples jobs require tools to do that job. If a persons computer goes down and their job requires the computer to do their job, does it make them incompetent? Not in my mind.
If it's helpful to someone to know they can tune a piano without the help of an ETA, I'm good with that. No argument from me. But, if I'm considered incompetent because I don't know how to tune a piano without my proper tools, I do have problem with that.
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"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure & TuneLab user
Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2017 21:47
From: Geoff Sykes
Subject: Why Aural Tuning?
Scott --
I think Peter's point was that, given a choice, we would rather have a doctor that knew what he was doing continue our surgery should a power failure occur rather than one that could NOT continue because without the equipment they didn't know what they were doing. Yes, hospitals all have UPS systems to help protect them from this scenario. The reliability of the hospital wasn't the point. Knowing what you're doing was.
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Geoff Sykes, RPT
Los Angeles CA
Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2017 19:04
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: Why Aural Tuning?
Peter - I understand what you're trying to convey but...YIKES! Tuning a piano is not nearly as serious as surgery! With all the laser and computer stuff used in surgeries nowadays I don't think I'd want the doctor to continue without the proper equipment. What you're forgetting is these doctors are probably pretty young, because the older ones don't have the stamina or steady hands that they have. I know this because my doctor had to retire for those reasons. Anyway, they most likely would not want to continue the surgery without the proper equipment that they were trained with. Also, I had thought that hospitals were set up with their own power source, for just such a emergency, so it behooves me to be ready for, just such an emergency too. Maybe I'm taking your analogy too concretely... :-o
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"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure & TuneLab user
Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2017 15:40
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Why Aural Tuning?
Charles,
I agree completely with perception. I can honestly say that I never get complaints. However, during the 6 month period (many moons ago) when I thought I was getting hearing loss and I got busy with an Accu-tuner (NH Chapter) in the event that I was going to have to go that direction, well...I got 4 complaints in that time period. They were not because anything was wrong, but they all referenced my use of the machine, without exception. That told me something very important. And anyway, the only thing I did with it was to tune the central section and do the rest by ear. But as you say, it was the perception, not the reality.
Fortunately it turned out to be ear wax and the Accu-tuner went back to the chapter. I have Tunelab on my phone and I know how to use it reasonably well. but I only use it to measure and set pitch, and compute pitch raises.
I would add that if I'm on the operating table and the power goes out, I dont want the surgeon to say: "Oops, looks like the computers are down, we'll come back tomorrow to finish the job"...I want the type of person who has real skills to move ahead regardless and says: "Rats, well...its going to take a little longer but let's do this and get this guy back together again...let's go everybody!"
Please don't anybody be offended by the above illustration. Simply, if I don't apply everything I've learned and mastered to each piano I service, I know I will lose some of those skills. This is not true of everyone, but it is true of me. So I want to keep using and refining those aural skills till I can't do it anymore and need help.
Perception...yes.
Pwg
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Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
Original Message:
Sent: 08-18-2017 09:10
From: Charles Rempel
Subject: Why Aural Tuning?
I've been following this interesting repartee waiting for someone to state what I think is one of the most important points in the whole discussion. Alas, no one has done it so I feel I must. Perception. I have long been of the opinion that in most (not all, but most) circumstances, the client really has little idea if you do a good job or not. I know someone will chime in and say that their entire clientele is comprised of concert pianists, but those people are the exception. Most tuners tune for everyday people who really have no way of judging the fine points of tuning. What then matters is how they perceive you as a professional. I have always tuned aurally. I have never even attempted to use an ETA or ETD. I can't even count the number of times that I have been asked with incredulity "You do this by ear?!?!" Wow! Instant credibility whether I deserved it or not. I have long been of the opinion, that when you tune by ear, your customers have a sense of awe about your skill level and automatically think that they could never do what you do. I also have seen the opposite play out many times. I have had complaints from piano owners when I sent a ETD using technician to tune their pianos. There was absolutely nothing wrong with the tuning, it was all in their heads. It didn't matter if they were right or wrong. The piano owners perception becomes our reality. Their thought, incorrectly, is that they could merely buy a machine and do the same thing. It doesn't matter if they're right.
To make my point clear, I have no deeply held bias on the matter personally. I couldn't care less how the tuning gets done. I just have years of observation to the effect that piano owners like aural tuners. There is a well know piano maker who for a long time would not hire an ETA using tuner for exactly this reason. I know times are changing, but I think there's plenty of room for both.
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Charles Rempel
Original Message:
Sent: 08-17-2017 22:41
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: Why Aural Tuning?
There are some myths I'd like to address about ETA's (I prefer ETA instead of ETD because it's more accurate, Electronic Tuning App):
1. The battery will run out of power!: If I choose to use an ETA then part of my job description is to make sure my device is charged up and ready to go, every day. In 22 years I've never had my battery run out of power.
2. Backup, backup, backup: Again, if I choose to use an ETA then part of my job description is to have a backup plan. I carry with me 3 devices capable of tuning a piano.
3. IF, for some reason all 3 of my devices fail, I'll return another day. That's not the worst thing in the world to happen. So, what I'm hearing from the aural tuners is that there has NEVER been a reason for them not to be able to complete a tuning job. That may be so. For my part I have never had to cancel a tuning because my device failed.
4. Dependence on a "machine": ( an apparatus using or applying mechanical power and having several parts, each with a definite function and together performing a particular task.) How many machines are we all dependent on? It's staggering! We're surrounded by machines of all sorts that we're dependent on. Even if you tune aurally you're dependent on your tuning hammer. That's a machine. What if an aural tuners car breaks down? Hey, why are you dependent on a machine. Hoof it and get over there!
5. What if the power goes off?!: All ETA's run on battery power so refer back to #1. In fact, I found myself in a similar situation not long ago and the light from my ETA allowed me to see what I was doing even though the lights were off.
6. ETA tuners don't savor or enjoy the process: I love my job! I may have never tuned a piano totally aurally but on the other hand there are some aural tuners that have never used an ETA. How can you judge that the process isn't as enjoyable or satisfying when you haven't done it that way? And, if you've tried the machine a couple of times, that doesn't count. That leads me to #7...
7. ETA tuners just turn on the machine and tune: There is a learning curve using any ETA. Not just figuring out how it works but learning to control the tuning hammer with precision. One app I use is Tunic OnlyPure. Even though I was used to tuning with an ETA, Tunic really challenged me. At first I wasn't sure I could use it. Now, after many years using it, I am able to just turn it on and tune.
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"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure & TuneLab user
Original Message:
Sent: 08-16-2017 17:19
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Why Aural Tuning?
Hello all,
Before you comment please read my entire post.
Why do we put such an emphasis on aural tuning? We accept modern technology in every other area of our lives, and yet one of the goals of most piano technicians is to be a competent aural tuner. Why is that?
Please understand, I am completely for aural tuning. If the device breaks or gets lost, you still need to be able to tune. My question is more of why we so highly elevate aural tuning. As ETDs get better and better, the need for "strictly by ear" gets less and less. So I guess I'm trying to figure out why aural tuning such a high goal to achieve?
I look forward to hearing your thoughts on this controversial subject.
P.S. Please don't respond to me privately. Your opinion needs to be heard by everyone.
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Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
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