Pianotech

  • 1.  An approach to returning to private work

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-25-2020 14:37

    Greetings,

    Most of my time working as a piano technician is spent in a conservatory environment. For those of us that choose to take a more cautious approach to entering people's homes and other spaces to service pianos these days, here is a something that has worked well for me. 

    When I ask most folks what their exposure has been since March (and I ask this of everyone who contacts me for service), most gladly fill me in. Many also appreciate the caution indicated by the question. However, someone recently responded somewhat defensively, opening with, "Our exposure is probably less than yours" (which turned out not to be the case).

     

    There is an old rabbinic saying: "Problem solving begins with self-examination." No, this does not mean that all problems are your fault. But it does direct that we understand how we each might be complicit in contributing to the problem in question.

     

    In this case, I realized that I was basically interrogating others without first disclosing my own status. This is analogous to calling someone on the phone and starting the conversation by asking them who they are. That question comes across differently when the caller identifies him or herself first.

     

    So, I prepared a document laying out my personal history as regards COVID exposure and precautions since March. This includes sequestering, the "COVID trifecta (mask-wearing, hand-washing and physical distancing), absence of any symptoms, testing (seven times, so far, all negative), being in the presence of others, etc.

     

    The response to this approach has been overwhelmingly positive. In fact, some folks who had already "told me their stories" revealed even more after I put my own cards on the table. All comers took my disclosure/inquiry as highly professional, and one person even asked if they could draw upon my document as a means of starting a conversation with family members that do not necessarily warm to this subject. (I told him, "You are most welcome to nick my sh#t!")

     

    Now I feel much more comfortable questioning people about their indoor environment and the exposure of members of their household. And they seem to feel that my doing so is fair and that my presence in their home poses a minimal threat to them.

     

    Your Mileage May Vary, but you may want to consider giving this approach a try.

     

    Be well,

     

    Alan

     



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    Alan Eder, RPT
    Herb Alpert School of Music
    California Institute of the Arts
    Valencia, CA
    661.904.6483
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  • 2.  RE: An approach to returning to private work

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-25-2020 16:35

    An excellent approach, Alan.







  • 3.  RE: An approach to returning to private work

    Registered Piano Technician
    Posted 09-25-2020 21:28
    I think that we have learned enough about how C-19 is transmitted that masks and social distancing suffice in most instances. Nevertheless, when I schedule an appointment, several days before the appointment I email the customer a confirmation that includes what I am going to do to protect them, and what I would like them to do to protect me. The guidelines I'm using I took from a sample message proposed by PTG that I think has a link posted in one of these forums. (I can't find it at the moment. Sorry.) To those customers that actually read, most of them are abiding by my request by cleaning the junk off the top of the piano, wearing masks and maintaining an acceptable distance. There are some that don't do a very good job but most of them do. Only once have I had to walk when a family of five, (mom, dad, grandma and two kids), acted like there was no danger at all involved, PLUS I couldn't get the kids to stop playing in the bounce house in the same room as the piano. 

    I'm also cleaning/sterilizing the keys, and making a point of telling the customer I did so, both before I start and when I am finished. 

    The only additional thing I'm doing is I'm limiting my service calls to mostly only one a day. I don't want to take anything from home A into home B, and I tell the customer this. Also, with the number of customers still unwilling to allow anyone in their home, one a day is about what I can reasonably book these days. And finally, one a day frequently winds up involving more than just a tuning so I'm billing enough per week and seriously enjoying the added leisure to the day and the ability to take care of my own needs.

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    Geoff Sykes, RPT
    Los Angeles CA
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