Pianotech

Has anyone ever encountered a liability issue when concert tuning due to being unable to complete a repair in time for an event?
A last minute broken agraffe, or a string popping that could not be spliced, or perhaps a rattling soundboard or rib discovered at the last minute? 
I don't do many concert tunings (maybe 5-10/year),  but I've wondered lately if some sort of contract or retainer agreement would be in order for some venues which would deal with such (rare but possible) eventualities?  I'm usually there just a few hours before sound checks begin, so not a lot of "breathing" room for extra repairs (of the time-consuming sort). 

Interested to know if others have considered or used a contract for such purposes. 
--- Tim

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Timothy Edwards
Beckley WV
(740) 517-7636
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Piano technicians do not break strings. Strings break......... 

    An agraffe repair is probably impossible on the spot but you should be able to tie strings. For bass strings it is a good idea to have a supply of steel string off old bass strings for use from the tuning pin to the speaking end piece with enough for 3 coils .Hopefully the concert piano is a good piano. I just tuned a piano for the Bill Gaither Vocal Band. He hauls a Yamaha C7 around and it get moves around the country. I stayed for the concert and the pianist was great opened with some heavy Gospel. At one point he did a 5 minute solo from the Halleluhjah Chorus. I mean he really worked that bad boy and gave it the Liszt treatment. I checked it after NOTHING moved, A was dead on all strings intact. Who knows the next guy in Indiana may get some splicing practice

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James Kelly
Owner- Fur Elise Piano Service
Pawleys Island SC
(843) 325-4357
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These days I don't do much contract work, but I have in the past. If you have such a "liability" concern, perhaps you could compose a letter suggesting that "best practice" would be for the client to understand that optimal maintenance would be that the piano had a "preparation" appointment at which any pitch adjustment, regulation, voicing, etc. is carried out, followed by the tuning on the day of the performance. I know, few may opt for the extra expense, but you get to point out such would be optimal for the piano, pianist, audience, etc.
Last Fall our chapter had an event at a new major performance center in which the acoustical architect, the piano technician, and one of the pianists spoke and gave demonstrations. Fred Mudge, the concert tuner, made it clear that there were THREE service appointments for each performance. The brand new Steinway D doubtless benefits greatly from all the extra attention. 

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Patrick Draine RPT
Billerica MA
(978) 663-9690
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Wim,

Yes, this dialog starts on the very first phone call or contact. Then  upon examining the piano the tech should notify the venue of any concerns and best way to handle them (in writing of course). Then, if these are ignored and something happens later, well...

Peter Grey Piano Doctor 

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Peter Grey
Stratham NH
(603) 686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
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Original Message:
Sent: 05-31-2023 16:14
From: Wim Blees
Subject: Liability?

I believe most concert pianists have a clause in their contract that allows them to cancel a performance if they get sick or injured. The same could be done for pianos that suffer from some unforeseen circumstance.  

By the same token venues need to be cognizant of the condition of their performance instrument. They can't expect you to work miracles on a piano that hasn't been tuned for 6 months or longer an hour before a performance. That's where you need to educate them. 

Wim