New Systems - New Problems

Hi All,  While I was on hold at QRS, waiting to get a UPS tracking
number, there was some lovely background music playing.  After
a few moments, I was certain I was listening to a recording of QRS's
newest Pianomation system with orchestrated background and vocalist
accompaniment.  And a quick question to the employee at QRS confirmed
my suspicion.

That got me to thinking, "What would that music sound like if the
piano was just 15 cents flat?  Or even 10 cents flat?  Or just
out of tune?"

Over the years, I've often heard the comment from player piano owners,
"I have a deaf ear", "I can't tell a B from an F", "I'm not musically
inclined", etc.  But, they all end with, "That's why I have a player
piano".

Fact is, they all enjoy good music -- they just can't play it
themselves.  And typically, they do have good ears and can tell when
the music doesn't sound 'right'.  That's what prompts them to call me
in the first place.

(Without a reminder, how many people change their oil every 3000 miles?
And how many people live their lives by the philosophy, "If it ain't
broke, don't fix it." ??)

I'll cut to the chase.  While the new Pianomation system is indeed
capable of producing very enjoyable background music, one must bear
in mind that the quality of that music is inextricably tied to the
relative pitch of the piano and the quality of the tuning.  Perhaps
that's why QRS is investing so much money in their new "self-tuning"
piano, hmmm?!

Let's be real here.  How many salesmen are going to say, "The music
this system is capable of producing is only as good as your piano
tuner."  Answer: None!

(And now you know why I was a poor piano salesman. I gave out too much
information, and I made people think.  On the flip side, that's why
I'm a successful technician.  Sooner or later we all find out where we
belong. It's too bad more people don't travel in that direction.  They'd
be a lot happier. :-)

Musically,

John A. Tuttle
Player-Care.com
Brick, NJ, USA