Today was the 3rd time the piano tuner came down to fix the piano...the 3rd time in a mere 1 week. Sigh. Everytime he comes down these few days, a new problem arises. He came to tune the piano last Fri, saying that my piano was due for tuning. Ok. So he came and tuned the piano and left. The day after, I was practicing the piano and discovered that some notes sounded strange. It was as if the hammer was hitting a cymbal inside the piano as it struck the strings, hance the "extra" sound. So, I called the tuner and tld him that some notes sounded not quite correct. And so he arranged for 2nd visit.
2nd visit. Tuesday. I tried my best in my layman terms to explain the cymbal-like sound that occured whenever a note was being played. This occured mainly in the octave above the middle C range. But he simply couldn't hear the difference. I was starting to get pissed. Hey, I am not a tuner. I can only explain the problem in my layman terms. So anyway, towards the last few minutes of the entire appointment, he finally understood the problem I was facing. As he was in a rush for a 2nd appoinment, he arranged to return another day. I explained that my baby was due anytime soon, and hoped that he would return asap to solve the problem.
3rd visit. Today. Wednesday. Early morning, I was practicing the piano and realized that the problem still existed. I got hubby to listen to the problem and he could tell that it was not right as well. So, anyway, piano tuner arrived in the afternoon. When he arrived, i again tried to explain that problem. I also played the piano to let him hear the strange "paper" sound that was sounding (which should not be there at all). With the piano all intact, the problem existed. But when he dismantled the piano, the problem slowly disappeared. So, this went on for a while...the dismantling and fixing of the piano. Until the "paper" sound disappeared. I suspect the problem occured cos he didnt fix piano back properly the last time. Damn. Cause me so much problem.
So anyway, just when he thought that all was well, I decided to test the piano before he left to ensure everything was ok. Guess what? New problems! Other notes gave me problem. Now it was a diferent problem. The notes had extra reverberation after being played!!! And it was obvious!!! So there I was, playing the note(s) for him to hear, and explaining that this should not be happening. And the annoying thing is, he was just standing there, insisting that everything was fine, and insisting that he couldn't hear what the problem was. The aspect that REALLY got me annoyed was when he started to imply that I was the trouble maker cos he himself could not hear any problem. And when he asked my hubby (who was in the same room doing his own stuff), even my hubby couldnt hear any problem. DUH!!! I'm the musician here. And I'm the one standing right at where middle C is. And I can hear the reverb loud and clear.
So anyway, I got really pissed off at him and his deafness and started to show black face. What kind of piano tuner are you if you can't hear a simply problem like that? And you don't have the right to criticize your client, when it is your inability to hear. I was fed up and gave up explaining. He also started packing up, still insisting that he couldnt hear any problem with my piano. Irritated by then, I just showed him out.
MIL returned soon after. I decided to see if a layman likt MIL could hear the problem. I played one note for her to listen, and explained that the note I just played was a "good" note with no problem. Then, I played my problem note and asked her what she felt. Good or no good? And straightaway, MIL could tell that 2nd note was indeed a problem note!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
ARGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Conclusion 1: I have a lousy piano tuner whose listening ability sucks, and who puts the blame on the client, implying that the client is hearing things.
Conclusion 2: My listening ability is good. Not that I'm boasting, but in this line, whether you teach or deal with the technicalities of your instrument, you need good listening skills. You need to know if the instrument is functioning well or not. Which in this case, the tuner failed miserably. Thank God for my ability to hear.
I am so never gonna get this guy to tune my piano ever.
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