Top 10 Annoyances of a Piano Tuner

[Sudy]

This thread subject sounds like the title of a quirky contract killer movie.

[Unagi]

I've also occasionally had problem with fish. The fish themselves of course present no challenge, but aquarium motors emit a constant hum that is problematic when in close proximity to the piano I'm working on.

So you can tune a piano but you can't tune out a fish?

He's not a tuna fish.

[Holman]

I assume that, as a piano tuner, you let clients know well beforehand that the work requires something as close to absolute silence as possible. Seems like the main problem is most of these annoyances is people just ignoring that.

[paulbaxter]

I assume that, as a piano tuner, you let clients know well beforehand that the work requires something as close to absolute silence as possible. Seems like the main problem is most of these annoyances is people just ignoring that.

I'm a slow one to learn my lessons, but the standard text I send people now is "I just ask that you remove all items from the top of the piano before I arrive and provide a quiet environment for me to work in."

[Jeff V]

6. Hardwood floors with open floor plans.

Another potential dealbreaker I guess. Unless you come in the next week. On Dec 30, the room with the piano will begin it's transition from a carpeted room to hardwood.

Would it help, you think, if we placed a carpet runner underneath the piano? It might prevent some vibration from the wood, but not sure about overall acoustics. As it stands, the carpet in that room is the pets favorite target and the main reason we're getting rid of the carpet.

[paulbaxter]

6. Hardwood floors with open floor plans.

Another potential dealbreaker I guess. Unless you come in the next week. On Dec 30, the room with the piano will begin it's transition from a carpeted room to hardwood.

Would it help, you think, if we placed a carpet runner underneath the piano? It might prevent some vibration from the wood, but not sure about overall acoustics. As it stands, the carpet in that room is the pets favorite target and the main reason we're getting rid of the carpet.

Rugs or any other large, soft things in the room will help with noise dampening. There's a certain modern minimalist aesthetic where everything is clean, bare, shiny and open. Looks nice, but is just horrendous for amplifying noise.

[Scuzz]

6. Hardwood floors with open floor plans.

Another potential dealbreaker I guess. Unless you come in the next week. On Dec 30, the room with the piano will begin it's transition from a carpeted room to hardwood.

Would it help, you think, if we placed a carpet runner underneath the piano? It might prevent some vibration from the wood, but not sure about overall acoustics. As it stands, the carpet in that room is the pets favorite target and the main reason we're getting rid of the carpet.

Rugs or any other large, soft things in the room will help with noise dampening. There's a certain modern minimalist aesthetic where everything is clean, bare, shiny and open. Looks nice, but is just horrendous for amplifying noise.

That describes the modern restaurant and how freaking loud they are.

[Blackhawk]

Thanks for the post - I found it entertaining and informative. Interestingly, a lot of those same things bug me as an autistic person, like the way a ceiling fan creates a sort of warbling echo.

I will say that I have enough of a (very mediocre) musical background that I'm envious of anyone with a good enough sense of tone to do what you do (and of people with a sense of rhythm - I have trouble keeping a beat regular over time.)

[Unagi]

I assume that, as a piano tuner, you let clients know well beforehand that the work requires something as close to absolute silence as possible. Seems like the main problem is most of these annoyances is people just ignoring that.

I'm a slow one to learn my lessons, but the standard text I send people now is "I just ask that you remove all items from the top of the piano before I arrive and provide a quiet environment for me to work in."

Too complicated.
I would only tell them the quiet environment is required. Deal with the crap on the piano when you get there.

*maybe have a small "no aquariums on the piano please" at the end.

[Blackhawk]

I'd still want them to move the crap. When grandma's ashes end up all over the floor, I wouldn't want mine to be the last hands on the urn.

[Unagi]

I'd still want them to move the crap. When grandma's ashes end up all over the floor, I wouldn't want mine to be the last hands on the urn.

Oh certainly, but that's something that you will tell them when you get there and there is something on the piano.

"Okay, we will need to get all of this off the piano."

The background noise seems like the real enemy. I would focus on telling the client that in my lead-up communications.

[paulbaxter]

I'd still want them to move the crap. When grandma's ashes end up all over the floor, I wouldn't want mine to be the last hands on the urn.

Oh certainly, but that's something that you will tell them when you get there and there is something on the piano.

"Okay, we will need to get all of this off the piano."

The background noise seems like the real enemy. I would focus on telling the client that in my lead-up communications.

Just being real here. A LOT of people keep a LOT of stuff on top of their pianos. Sheet music, family pictures, lamps, figurines, whatever. If I wait until I get there to tell them to take it off, that's still several minutes of time I'm waiting. Average tuning time is about 50 minutes for me, so that's a pretty significant percentage of my time being wasted for something they could have done before I came. I've never once had a person complain that I asked them to do it before I came, and when I DO ask, nearly everyone remembers to get it done, or at least they hurry to get it done when I arrive.

[Unagi]

Hey man. They are your peeves. I’m just trying to help you handle the most annoying from your list.
You handle it how ever you see fit.