Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum Do you mind being watched and asked what you did?

Dear techs,

If you go to do a repair, regulation or voicing job at a client's home, would you mind if:

• The client watched you while you worked; and
• The client asks you to say what you did (not while you are working of course).

When are you "not working," when at a clients house? I don't stop for too many breaks unless I'm not in a particular hurry. Then I talk too much.
I ask the client if they want a list of all the adjustments I did. The Yamaha I just did took 4 adjustments to bring back into regulation. It's hard to tell them not to watch when you are in their living room.

Heheh, thanks Keith. By "working" I mean actually doing something with the piano. But yes I get what you mean.

Chatty techs are great! I'm the kind of person who asks doctors and dentists to tell me what they are doing during the procedure. Or after, if I've been put under.

I think they said I keep talking even after I go under.

And it could very well be so if they used Dormicum for the anaesthesia.

I enjoy it when a client takes an interest in what I'm doing. Especially if they are young. Kids are so used to electronics, seeing something mechanical like a piano is pretty interesting for them.

I have considered wearing a t-shirt with this printed on the back

Tunings $90
If you watch $110
If you help $130
If you do your self $150

That is something I can handle better working on a piano than a car.A car requires intense concentration when viewing a scan tool,and working in confined areas, and you don't need a hawk over your shoulder.

I would at least inform the watcher of any possible injury if they are standing right there at the piano,like during string work,and tuning with rusty strings.

Some customers do sit and watch (and listen) to me tune. I usually mention how horrible it must be for them. It doesn't really bother me, although sometimes it’s a surprise to turn around and realize someone is there and I didn’t know it. Makes me wonder if I’ve been scratching myself or anything.

I don't mind at all, but be aware that if you do watch and ask questions I'll be trying out my new jokes and verbal witticisms on you. I loose audiences all the time like that, so I'm working furiously on timing and content.

I'll answer questions, but I'm careful to watch for eyes glazing over.

David Schwoyer's comment reminded me of something. I try to get clients away from the back of grands when I'm tuning the bass strings. I've had two memorable cases where the strings broke and flew out of the piano with considerable force. 'Not sure what a trip-and-fall lawyer would try with a situation like that, but I'm not eager to find out.

I tell folks that watch my work I will drive them nuts or put them to sleep.

Actually I try to educate on every appointment. THe more understanding a customer has of the dynamic and organic nature a piano the better grasp and appreciation they have of what we do, piano music and the instrument itself. The better they understand the caprices of the piano the easier they are to live with.

I heartily second what Sam Casey said!!!

I don't mind people watching me at all. We only have so much time scheduled for the appointment so I usually talk a little bit before but, mostly afterward as I do enjoy talking with my customers a great deal. That's half the fun!

I'm very used to being watched from college and school work as well as all of the usual questions that go along with it.

Only one question continually baffles me. It's while I am tuning the piano, someone walks in and says, "oh, are you tuning the piano?" I don't say it but, feel like saying, ummmm, noooo, I'm just staring at it. It tunes itself. Maybe I should sometime. The response might be fun.

Or you could say, "No, I'm fixing the air conditioner. This IS the air conditioner, isn't it?"

Eric.

I don not mind people watching and asking questions! I sold pianos and it is very interesting how many people who buy pianos have no idea of how a piano works or is tuned!
The worst case I've had though was a gentleman who decided to tune his own piano and for a tuning hammer used a pair of vice grips! You want to talk about chewed up tuning pins!!
I have taken time in the homes to show piano students how an action works, most piano teachers hyave really no idea of how it works!" No puns intended"! I think technicians should take time to explain to the customers any questions they have, remember, that piano will need serviced again and a happy customer will call you back!!!

For some reason this tickled the ol' "funny bone".





If I watch my tech (he doesn't mind) he usually cracks jokes like: "You really want me to tune these black keys? Why? They are just spacers like guitar frets, aren't they?"

posted by wayne walker

Ah! Couldn't agree more. If only the education was done BEFORE they buy their piano so that they can make the selection and purchase with more confidence!

My airconditioners are being serviced today. Note to self: Must remember to keep the aircon techs away from the piano....