Pianotech

Sometimes, you never know who you might be working for. Yesterday was one of those days.
Got a call from a gentleman who attends a church that I work for. Said he knew of my work for sometime and wanted me to take a look at his piano. Yesterday was the service call. 
The Steinway L was in horrible playing condition, sluggish action, overly bright hammers, etc.  I made a comment that this really needs a great deal of attention and he said, do what you can.
He was one of these clients who liked to talk the entire time about the piano, life, and just about everything.  The piano was in such horrible playing condition that I couldn't even tune before pulling the action get things in playing order.  I can usually tell what kind of player the owner is by the wear on the hammers. Hammers heads completely flat with groves 1/4" deep. And all hammers worn evenly which told me this guy has chops and is practicing serious hours.
Anyhow when I was close to finishing, I engaged him more conversation and asked,.." so what type of work did you do?"
"See that poster on the wall.... that's me." Then he starts pulling one album after another. " That's me, that's me, and on an on. 
Turns out he had a stage name totally different than  the name he gave me for the service call. I was working for the great Kieth Dunham, who was in the mix with Teddy Wilson, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Earl Gardner, George Shearing.  At this point, he finally sat down played for me for about 1/2 hr, demonstrating all of stride styles he was credited for, along with a very signature style of using passing tones. As soon as he started playing, I recognized the style immediately. I was completely blown away.
A truly humble guy who know doesn't need the self-assurances to  live off of his stage name. Now in his 80's, relishes in living a quiet life under his born name. 
Anyhow, this was one of those days to remember.

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

Great story Tom, thanks!

------------------------------
Edward McMorrow
Edmonds WA
425-299-3431
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-11-2018 05:41
From: Thomas Servinsky
Subject: You never know who you might be working for

Sometimes, you never know who you might be working for. Yesterday was one of those days.
Got a call from a gentleman who attends a church that I work for. Said he knew of my work for sometime and wanted me to take a look at his piano. Yesterday was the service call.
The Steinway L was in horrible playing condition, sluggish action, overly bright hammers, etc.  I made a comment that this really needs a great deal of attention and he said, do what you can.
He was one of these clients who liked to talk the entire time about the piano, life, and just about everything.  The piano was in such horrible playing condition that I couldn't even tune before pulling the action get things in playing order.  I can usually tell what kind of player the owner is by the wear on the hammers. Hammers heads completely flat with groves 1/4" deep. And all hammers worn evenly which told me this guy has chops and is practicing serious hours.
Anyhow when I was close to finishing, I engaged him more conversation and asked,.." so what type of work did you do?"
"See that poster on the wall.... that's me." Then he starts pulling one album after another. " That's me, that's me, and on an on.
Turns out he had a stage name totally different than  the name he gave me for the service call. I was working for the great Kieth Dunham, who was in the mix with Teddy Wilson, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Earl Gardner, George Shearing.  At this point, he finally sat down played for me for about 1/2 hr, demonstrating all of stride styles he was credited for, along with a very signature style of using passing tones. As soon as he started playing, I recognized the style immediately. I was completely blown away.
A truly humble guy who know doesn't need the self-assurances to  live off of his stage name. Now in his 80's, relishes in living a quiet life under his born name.
Anyhow, this was one of those days to remember.

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

Sweet.

Days like this keep one going on days not like this.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-11-2018 05:41
From: Thomas Servinsky
Subject: You never know who you might be working for

Sometimes, you never know who you might be working for. Yesterday was one of those days.
Got a call from a gentleman who attends a church that I work for. Said he knew of my work for sometime and wanted me to take a look at his piano. Yesterday was the service call.
The Steinway L was in horrible playing condition, sluggish action, overly bright hammers, etc.  I made a comment that this really needs a great deal of attention and he said, do what you can.
He was one of these clients who liked to talk the entire time about the piano, life, and just about everything.  The piano was in such horrible playing condition that I couldn't even tune before pulling the action get things in playing order.  I can usually tell what kind of player the owner is by the wear on the hammers. Hammers heads completely flat with groves 1/4" deep. And all hammers worn evenly which told me this guy has chops and is practicing serious hours.
Anyhow when I was close to finishing, I engaged him more conversation and asked,.." so what type of work did you do?"
"See that poster on the wall.... that's me." Then he starts pulling one album after another. " That's me, that's me, and on an on.
Turns out he had a stage name totally different than  the name he gave me for the service call. I was working for the great Kieth Dunham, who was in the mix with Teddy Wilson, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Earl Gardner, George Shearing.  At this point, he finally sat down played for me for about 1/2 hr, demonstrating all of stride styles he was credited for, along with a very signature style of using passing tones. As soon as he started playing, I recognized the style immediately. I was completely blown away.
A truly humble guy who know doesn't need the self-assurances to  live off of his stage name. Now in his 80's, relishes in living a quiet life under his born name.
Anyhow, this was one of those days to remember.

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

...not right away, anyhow.

I was once sent to tune an upright Steinway at a large, middle-class condo complex here in Portland, OR.  I introduced myself at the door.  He said his name was John Browning, and I thought:  "Oh, he has the same name as pianist John Browning!"  And after I tuned the piano, he sat down, and I quickly realized...."Oh, he doesn't just have the same name as John Browning - he IS John Browning!"  (...whose Barber Concerto recording I discovered as an adolescent and have loved ever since)

Don't you just love the surprise element of our work?  I love never knowing what the day will bring.
Warm regards to all, and thanks for the story,
Linda

------------------------------
Linda Scott, RPT
Portland, OR
503-231-9732
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-11-2018 05:41
From: Thomas Servinsky
Subject: You never know who you might be working for

Sometimes, you never know who you might be working for. Yesterday was one of those days.
Got a call from a gentleman who attends a church that I work for. Said he knew of my work for sometime and wanted me to take a look at his piano. Yesterday was the service call.
The Steinway L was in horrible playing condition, sluggish action, overly bright hammers, etc.  I made a comment that this really needs a great deal of attention and he said, do what you can.
He was one of these clients who liked to talk the entire time about the piano, life, and just about everything.  The piano was in such horrible playing condition that I couldn't even tune before pulling the action get things in playing order.  I can usually tell what kind of player the owner is by the wear on the hammers. Hammers heads completely flat with groves 1/4" deep. And all hammers worn evenly which told me this guy has chops and is practicing serious hours.
Anyhow when I was close to finishing, I engaged him more conversation and asked,.." so what type of work did you do?"
"See that poster on the wall.... that's me." Then he starts pulling one album after another. " That's me, that's me, and on an on.
Turns out he had a stage name totally different than  the name he gave me for the service call. I was working for the great Kieth Dunham, who was in the mix with Teddy Wilson, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Earl Gardner, George Shearing.  At this point, he finally sat down played for me for about 1/2 hr, demonstrating all of stride styles he was credited for, along with a very signature style of using passing tones. As soon as he started playing, I recognized the style immediately. I was completely blown away.
A truly humble guy who know doesn't need the self-assurances to  live off of his stage name. Now in his 80's, relishes in living a quiet life under his born name.
Anyhow, this was one of those days to remember.

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------

To be brief, I received a call from a Mr. Polsfus who did nothing but talk in my ear about all the famous people he knew as I was trying to tune his Steinway B. Finally, in sheer frustration, I said, "This is all very interesting, Mr. Polsfus, but will you please go in the other room so that I can tune this piano."  This startled him a little, but he did leave the room and I was able to finish the tuning. In my ride home, I suddenly realized from some of the things he said that this man was Les Paul.  Sure.  Mr. Lester Polsful. Les Paul. Famous people shortened their names in those days. I figured that he would probably never call me again, because I may have been a little rude. but I was wrong. He called me for the next 25-30 years, right up to his death in, I think, 2009.

------------------------------
Lucille Rains
Franklin Lakes NJ
201-337-7228
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 05-11-2018 05:41
From: Thomas Servinsky
Subject: You never know who you might be working for

Sometimes, you never know who you might be working for. Yesterday was one of those days.
Got a call from a gentleman who attends a church that I work for. Said he knew of my work for sometime and wanted me to take a look at his piano. Yesterday was the service call.
The Steinway L was in horrible playing condition, sluggish action, overly bright hammers, etc.  I made a comment that this really needs a great deal of attention and he said, do what you can.
He was one of these clients who liked to talk the entire time about the piano, life, and just about everything.  The piano was in such horrible playing condition that I couldn't even tune before pulling the action get things in playing order.  I can usually tell what kind of player the owner is by the wear on the hammers. Hammers heads completely flat with groves 1/4" deep. And all hammers worn evenly which told me this guy has chops and is practicing serious hours.
Anyhow when I was close to finishing, I engaged him more conversation and asked,.." so what type of work did you do?"
"See that poster on the wall.... that's me." Then he starts pulling one album after another. " That's me, that's me, and on an on.
Turns out he had a stage name totally different than  the name he gave me for the service call. I was working for the great Kieth Dunham, who was in the mix with Teddy Wilson, Duke Ellington, Art Tatum, Earl Gardner, George Shearing.  At this point, he finally sat down played for me for about 1/2 hr, demonstrating all of stride styles he was credited for, along with a very signature style of using passing tones. As soon as he started playing, I recognized the style immediately. I was completely blown away.
A truly humble guy who know doesn't need the self-assurances to  live off of his stage name. Now in his 80's, relishes in living a quiet life under his born name.
Anyhow, this was one of those days to remember.

------------------------------
Tom Servinsky
------------------------------