I haven’t posted in over 2 years, so thought it was about time.
So, the question popped in my head today: Why do I love tuning pianos so much? The answer….well…I mulled it over a bit and came up with 10 good reasons. There are certainly many more, but 10 seemed like a good round number, so I’ll give you 10.
Before I do, though, I will have to admit that on more than one occasion (maybe way more….) I have found myself sitting at a piano, tuning away, totally focused on the job at hand, and yet, at the same time, totally lost in the monotony of the listening, the pounding, the ever-repeating intervals of 4ths and 5ths, and thinking to myself….how in the world did I get into this profession in the first place? And more importantly…why do I keep doing it, hour after hour, day after day, for weeks and years on end? The question also comes to me some days after my 3rd, 4th, or 5th piano that day (each taking about an hour or more). My ears are tired, my mind is numb from the incessant concentration, my neck and shoulders muscles are burning, and I may have yet an hour’s drive home before I can kick my feet up for a few minutes. I stare down the road, into the night, eyes peeled for deer, anxious to find rest at home. And again, I ask myself…why do I still love tuning pianos? Quite honestly, like many professions, there are always things that can make you want to reconsider. But, something deep inside of me always reminds me that I really do love tuning pianos. Why?
Well…here are 10 reasons why I love to tune pianos!
- Pianos, and music, have always been part of my life. I learned piano at an early age (my mother was a teacher), although I never became very proficient at it. Let’s just say I loved the idea of playing the piano more than I was willing to practice to become good at it (sorry, Mom)! However, learning piano made me appreciate music, and as I grew up, music became an integral part of who I was, my identity. I played trumpet, was in symphony band and marching band, competed at solo ensemble, sang in school and church choir, and the like. It was so much a part of me that I knew music would certainly follow me into adulthood and likely would someday, in some way, be part of my eventual profession. Upon graduating from college, I took a church minister of music position, but that didn’t last long due to the strain it was taking on my voice. During that time, I began learning piano tuning as a side interest–mainly for the purpose of extra income, should we need it. Church staff always need it! Years passed; other jobs came and went; I got my teaching certificate to teach elementary school in MO, and I worked for a few years as a middle school science teacher, but was always drawn back to piano tuning. Suffice it to say, I love tuning pianos, in part, because it fits in beautifully with my love for music.
- I always admired the profession. In high school, I absolutely loved when my piano tuner came to visit. I would beg my mom to wait to have him come until after I got off school in the afternoon. I just thought it was a neat, (albeit a tad odd and mystifying), humble, honored, respected, and slightly rare profession. I was truly intrigued. I also loved and looked up to my grandfather who was a church evangelist. He would travel from town to town holding weekly revival meetings. When he came to a church that couldn’t afford to have their piano tuned, and since he and his wife also provided the music for which it was necessary that the piano be in tune, he would offer to tune it for them at no charge. So, by the time I decided to learn the trade, sometime during college, Paul Davis and Udell Moss had been the only two piano tuners I knew…but I looked up to them and respected them greatly.
- I love working with my hands, and I LOVE tools! I could write pages upon pages of all the different ways I get to use my hands in this profession, and I could just as easily formulate a list a mile long of all the piano specialty tools I get to use on a daily basis. But, I’ll spare you the long lists and just share a few examples: Tuning requires the use of tuning levers, mutes, a tuning fork and/or Accu-Tuner type tuning device. Repairs require all sorts of small hand tools, repair parts, glues, and lubricants. Rebuilding requires a shop full of various hand-tools, power tools, stringing tools, hoists, tilters, etc. Piano moving requires a trailer, dollies, ramps, pads, straps, etc. You get the idea!
- I love the variety. Again, I refer you to the previous lists. In a single day, I might be called to tune a piano that hasn’t been serviced in decades, and later that day, I could be at the local university fine-tuning and regulating a 9′ concert grand for a high profile concert or recital. Whether working on a $300 spinet or a $140,000 Steinway, there are always times that require me to troubleshoot a problem and make the proper repair or adjustment. For a change of pace, on my days “off” from tuning service calls, I often work on more major rebuilds, or moving a piano for someone. They say that “variety is the spice of life,” and I find that quote to be certainly true in my field of work.
- I am quite introverted, by nature. However, having grown up in a pastor’s home where our ministry focus was all about people, I learned to be loving, friendly, and somewhat out-going…or at least sociable. It has given me the confidence I need to work with the public, and to assert myself when needed. However, piano work allows me a lot of “behind the scenes” time. Often, it’s just me and the piano I’m working on. Sure, I enjoy the meet and greet, and I can talk pianos all day if I’m not careful, but I am equally comfortable in “the zone” with my head in the piano, focusing on the task at hand. The perfect combination for me!
- Speaking of people, I really do enjoy the different people I meet, as well as the friendships I make along the way. As I said, I grew up in a pastor’s home and learned at an early age to love and appreciate people. I really enjoy sharing stories, finding common ground, and over a cup of coffee is always a bonus! I meet new people every day. When I meet someone more introverted than me, I usually get finished in good time, exchanging only a handful of words, and sticking to business. On the other hand, I have to watch out when working for an extrovert! I enjoy our visits, but it’s super easy to let conversation, questions, etc. get in the way of my work. Especially, if they enjoy hearing and learning about pianos as much as I like sharing about them! (I refer you to my time as a teacher!) All-in-all, each day is as unique as the variety of people I meet, and many of them become lifelong friends.
- I love running my own business, and yes, being my own boss. It’s not all roses, and there is much to think and worry about, but the freedom to serve people the way I know best is very rewarding.
- Speaking of serving people, I’ve always been the type to want to jump in and help out. I find that tuning and repairing pianos allows me to help people bring a little joy into their lives. A tuned piano brings harmony, rather than discord. People are very sentimental about their pianos, like they’re a member of their family, and they often feel badly when they’ve failed to take good care of them. Being able to take what’s wrong and make it right makes them very thankful, and happy.
- I absolutely love when a piano that has been neglected, or maybe is just due for it’s regularly scheduled tuning, is all tuned up and sings ever so sweetly again. It’s a natural high that I seem to crave. Equally important is the fact that my customers are happy and they now have an instrument that they can enjoy playing.
- Oh, and I get paid. That’s good! It sure helps pay the bills…but I refer you back to numbers 1-9…those are the real reasons why I love tuning pianos!
As sure as there are 10 reasons why I love tuning pianos, I could easily come up with just as many reasons why I could have, or should have, become anything else under the sun except a piano tuner, but today I just needed to be reminded of why I love tuning pianos!
Until next time, always remind yourself why you love what you do!