 A local high school scheduled a tuning service on Saturday morning. It was easier to concentrate without students around, although they are very hardworking young adults. Actually they are the most dedicated music students I've ever seen in schools that we provide piano tuning service. I could take time to check damp-chaser, change pads. Take that big brush out, brush dust out of tuning pin area. Wipe the key board and damper heads, one at a time. Rub ivory soap on pedal rod so it does not squeak inside its guide rail bushing. I could be fussy of the temperament till thirds and sixths increase speed evenly while fifths sound on the clean side. Fourths have minds of their own, they tent not to sound similar with each other. I gave up organizing these little brats. The word "brat" is learned from my beloved other half (English is my second language). I could fuss with those double octaves and twelfth until they give up yelling and shouting and finally become quiet. Nobody's around. Just the piano and her grumpy tuner...oh and those chairs sitting there dozing along. Bored, Eh? It is a good two hours and a half after all.  On Monday to Friday, there are usually more than half a dozen people on the second floor of this old brick mill supported by many cracked pillars. A hair too many people and movements and noise, although I enjoy having them around. They are good workers.
Kevin often yell at his employees by his spray booth either chat about life or trying to convince them his idea is the holy way to be followed. They've been doing this since when... twenty plus years ago? His loyal employee Zlatko would just look at him quietly until he finishes his spiel then prove him wrong. Kevin and his guys do very fine furniture refinishing work and interior construction. For detail, please look here. Jude, my respected big boss, is... you can't really see him but feel him blow by like summer breeze. One moment his giving advice to my colleague, two seconds later his gone to his den (office) to refine an action design which just stroke his mind like a slice of lightening. While he's flying to every corner of his piano and parts and tools filled shop, you could visualize his brain spinning at 6000+ RMP. Maybe that's how he gets more and more recognized and respected in the Piano Technician's world and among piano owners. He's a hardworking genius. So today, one of those winter Saturdays, there's no one around. I could just sit there, surrounded by pianos, enjoy the quietness, focus on one task, i.e. damper installation, repeat and repeat many more times. The damper head is too much towards the bass, bend the damper wire a bit, no it's too much to the treble now, bend the wire once more. The guide rail bushing is too tight, darn old style double bushing! Well, ignore it now, you can always ream or iron the bushings after all damper heads are in place, wires regulated, and felt glued on. Not today. Slow, steady, just focus. Yes the downstair wresting kids are creating an earthquake on their ceiling under my feet. Yes the cop vehicles love to dash through between our mill and the marijuana plant across the street, sirens nice and bright and strong. Just focus, just focus... It's a good day after all. Comments are closed.
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