etd's and ears

[David Andersen]

Please see my earlier replies....I apologize for lack of clarity  
before; I thought I was clearer. I guess I need to put it in caps:
4 OF MY FAVORITE 8  PIANO TECHNICIANS IN THE WORLD, MY FAVORITE  
CONCERT TUNERS, REGULARLY USE ETDs IN THEIR WORK.  I LOVE THEIR  
TUNINGS.  THEY LOVE MY TUNINGS.  OUR TUNING ARE VERY SIMILAR. NONE OF  
US GIVE A HOOT HOW THE BEAUTY HAPPENS, JUST THAT IT HAPPENS.  CAPISCE?

I believe this will be my last transmission on this subject; please,  
y'all, don't jump to conclusions that are not stated.
David A.

On Feb 15, 2007, at 12:02 PM, centipod at mac.com wrote:

> David,
>
> I respectfully disagree with the whole tenor of your posting. I  
> believe this idea that tuning can only be done artistically by  
> someone using ears alone, without utilizing an ETD as any part of  
> the process, is unfortunate and limiting. To me it borders on a   
> sort of romanticizing mystification. ETD's are a tool, like  
> anything else; they can be a great addition to and extension of our  
> senses.
>
> I believe what you say about your passion for the artistic nature  
> of the tuning process and respect that. But I hope you won't try to  
> define what that artistry must involve for myself or others.
>
> Sincerely,
>
> Allen Wright, RPT
> London, UK
>
>
>>
>>>
>>> "But, today's ETDs will definitely give a more than acceptable  
>>> tuning. So, nearly everyone will be happy."
>>
>> Except the tuner, who's trying to see himself/herself as an  
>> artisan, a craftsperson, and knows that he/she just phoned it in.
>>
>> If you died today, how does this sound?
>>
>> "He was a tuner that did more than acceptable tunings, and gave 70  
>> or 80% all the time."
>>
>> Now:  I've heard beautiful, soaring tunings by strictly aural  
>> tuners, and by tuners who were using an ETD as a helpful tool. The  
>> tunings I've heard that were strictly by looking at the wheel or  
>> the dial or whatever---to me---suck. Average. Brittle-sounding. If  
>> average is where you want to be, by all means coast through your  
>> four or five tunings a day, make your 100 grand a year, but don't  
>> call yourself an artisan. An artisan is passionate, engaged, and  
>> doing his/her best when working.
>>
>> To them, it's not a job; it's a love and a calling. And I know so  
>> many fantastic artisans in this work; I was just with a lot of  
>> them at the California PTG Convention, and it's an honor to be  
>> with artisans and revel in their dedication. It's FUN to give  
>> something your all.
>>
>> I think a lot of people use ETDs because they're not confident in  
>> their ears' ability to get the job done.  This is just  
>> speculation, but I think there's some truth there.
>>
>> Whattaya think?
>>
>> Best,
>>
>> David Andersen
>>
>
>
>
>
>
> Allen Wright
> 6 Clay Court, 219 Long Lane
> London SE1 4PB
> United Kingdom
> 020 7378 8265
> 0780-688-1325 (mobile)
>
>
>
>

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