Piano World Home Page Forums Our Most Popular Forums Piano Tuner-Technicians Forum Here comes the cold!

Every time I tell someone who talks about wanting to "keep the heat on for the piano," that it is relative humidity which matters most, I get a blank look. Got that same look from a guy with a doctorate in music just last week.

You would think there would'a been a course!?

Mr. Cerisano,

I have to agree with Ryan. Even though you seem to have knowledge to share, your pompous teacher attitude tends to get ...

I don't know, and I am certainly not here to prove you wrong.

I am here, as a piano technician to share some of my experience, be able to ask questions, and hopefully have answers. It has been a success in my book.

Over the years on this forum, I have learnt a bunch of techniques and procedures. Some quite innovative, CA glue, teflon powder, protek, spurlock's jigs and procedures to name but a few. Del's posts are priceless. Just recently acrylic repair of ivory. A great resource.

And just good common sense.

We get to know the members and respect them for their contributions.

Having said that, I owe this forum, I have not contributed as much as I have received.

This forum is called the piano technician's forum.

I don't mind newbies or even DIYers, as long as they are earnest and inquisitive.

All the best.

Practical performance is full of examples of approximations of complete scientific fact because the accurate prediction is impractical, too complicated and not useful. As well, the situation has its share of brilliant minds who continue to feel unrecognized and not respected because it appears no one is listening to them. They continue to exist in their own world where they are right and everybody else is wrong.

Perhaps the tech who couldn't explain to the doctor of music about RH would appreciate the more complete explanation of RH. Maybe he could explain the molecular situation with dust and smooth surfaces and super saturated 200 % RH. That should get him to realize the error of his ways.

What I understand is that RH percent number says how much moisture is in the air (or any gas if you want) before saturation.

So temperature and (athmospheric) pressure level influence the result.

I dont se why it may exprim the amount of water, only when making the reverse computation you obtain the weight of water in the gaz.

The "on a flat surface" aspect can probably be left aside for common understanding, but I dont get the explanations from Mark probably for the way they are presented.

The digital hr use the surface tension of the water in air to determine tge HR ? Is temperature tested by the Hygrostat ? I guess no it may only use conductivity to check a certain amount of water.

Then I question the error margin , unless the data are obtained with the help of thermometer often inclueded in the best hygrometers.

That is so generous of you not to mind the DIYers. I can see I am going to have to stay in this forum and continue to be a voice for those. Of course, I would be more than happy to spend my time on the "Learn to Tune Pianos" forum, but there isn't one. So I guess we are all going to have to learn to get along. I think that's how Frank put it, wasn't it? Getting along would be so nice, not at all like name calling or put downs, would it? And yet, I don't seem to remember ever throwing the first stone in these forums. How strange. Why is that? People, please, remember why I am posting. I have already mentioned it. If you find my tone offensive, stop reading. The posts are not for you. You are like an experienced battle soldier who goes into an army cadet meeting and cringes at the toy rifles. I'll say it again, my posts are not for experienced techs who are offended by approach. My perspective is and always has been that piano tuning is a craft that any musical person can learn to do, with the right teacher. If I'm obnoxious and arrogant, my students made me that way. Strangely enough, my temper in front of a class is much more patient than you may gather from some of my defensive posts. You guys just bring out the best in me I guess. But, that's the beauty of social media, as I am starting to see. I know there are hundreds of techs etc just watching these proceedings saying "there but for the grace of God, go I"

So, post away. I may take my own advice and just stop reading them.

Mark - I'm sorry if you think I was offended - mildly annoyed? Perhaps. Offended - no. I also went out of my way to compliment you. I was (perhaps ineffectively) suggesting that taking a less professorial role here may make your ideas better received.

I am one who has realized that most doctors in music are doctors of music, and are not scientists. Most seem to think that, "In the winter, a warm room is good, and a cold room is bad, and it is that simple." Any explanation of why that is not necessarily the case often generated a blank look which revealed incredulity on their part. That is why I joked that one would think that doctors of music should have to take a course which at least explains the issues of RH for the sake of pianos, woodwinds, and other instruments which can suffer if the moisture content of the wood in them is altered too much or is altered too quickly.

There was a time when I would get into an explanation. The "blank look" has become so ubiquitous that I suppose I now anticipate it, choosing now to save my breath and foregoing the explanation to them, and get back to paying work. I can always give them a Dampp Chaser brochure later, and maybe get into a discussion with pictures to help get the point across.

It was a JOKE:
"You would think there would'a been a course!?"

Give them a price for soundboard repair and a moisture table.

Because, no matter the conditions, if the piano is in trouble they wil think for a time there is some obscure relation with the tuner .

Before Dampp Chaser, ask where is the hygrometer and how is the moisture there. Then it is THEIR responsability to get interest in the matter.

Hygrometers where in all places with pianos yet in 1930. An Iphone is something else (explain them)

In the end we have to be offensive if we want to keep tge customer...as a technician or rebuilder.

If not uou could only sell them pianos, the adequate moisture conditions are part of he customer dues so it is not your trouble in that case.

How cold is it?

Pert' near cold!

How dry is it?

Bone dry!

What's in your piano?

Piano is too dry

Must be cracking the soundboard

Moisture desire


St Isaac "Kamin" the young - first age of dry MMXIII

Over the last couple of weeks sitting in my van is a 5' grand with a mint soundboard.
The temperature has gone from 60F down to 7F I haven't measured the RH but we've had rain and snow.
I haven't had time to move the piano onto my shop.
I'm hope that crossing my fingers will help.

Yesterday in Winnipeg, Canada the daily high was -21 Celsius (-6 F). The day previous was -40 and postal workers were ordered not to deliver.

That's pretty cold.
I work for a small company in their wood shop. They don't like paying for heat so I'm not allowed to turn it on.
The shop gets quite cold sometimes around 40F.
Don't tell my boss but if I know he won't be around I turn it on.

Just for harmony and counterpoint:

Here in the southern subtropics (two hours' drive south of the Tropic of Crappycorn), the mercury topped out at 32°C (90 F) yesterday, and we're expecting 35°C (95 F) today.

Can one of you send me some snow, please?